Eden-Monaro byelection: Gladys Berejiklian backs her deputy John Barilaro

Gladys Berejiklian backs her deputy who is under pressure to quit as NSW Nationals leader over his conduct during the preselection saga.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has backed her deputy John Barilaro who is under pressure to resign as NSW Nationals leader over his behaviour in the contest for Eden-Monaro preselection.

On Sunday Nationals member for Port Macquarie and deputy speaker of the house Leslie Williams broke ranks with the party room and called for his resignation in a letter to NSW Nationals chair Andrew Fraser and the media. She suggested Mr Barilaro’s conduct had “embarrassed” the party and “infuriated” the community.

“Now more than ever before, we need leaders who are committed to their communities and the State, and who demonstrate through their action professionalism, respect, honesty and integrity,” Ms Williams wrote.

“The actions of the Deputy Premier over the past fortnight have not reflected this. Our members feel let down, our party embarrassed and the community infuriated.”

Mr Barilaro has come under fire after it was revealed he referred to fellow Coalition minister and potential Eden-Monaro candidate Andrew Constance as a “c...”, contradicted his own advice on not travelling to regional areas by visiting his rural property the weekend before last, and by last week pulling out of the Eden-Monaro contest after leaving the question of his candidature open for a number of days.

He has also been criticised for savaging the leadership capabilities of Michael McCormack in a leaked text conversation with the federal Nationals leader.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance, left, and Deputy Premier John Barilaro, right both walked away from plans to contest the Eden Monaro by-election. Their war of words prompted Port MP Leslie Williams, centre, to write to party chairman Andrew Fraser.

“To feel threatened by me clearly shows you have failed your team and failed as a leader,” the message read.

“You will never be acknowledged by me as our leader. You aren't. You never will be.’’

Ms Williams said Mr Barilaro should stand aside or indicate when he will leave politics given his has indicated he will not contest the 2023 NSW state election.

“Two and a half years out from the next State election it is necessary for the NSW Nationals to have a definite timeline as to his intentions — in either vacating the leadership or providing a timeline as to when that will happen,” she said.

“We need to get on with our work for regional NSW without further distractions.”

Other senior Nationals figures have reportedly expressed their displeasure in Mr Barilaro’s behaviour in private.

On Monday morning Ms Berejiklian expressed her support for her deputy. “Can I say Mr Barilaro is an outstanding advocate for the bush,” she told reporters in Sydney.

“Especially during the drought, especially during bushfires, and he has my full support.”

NSW Education Minister and fellow Nationals MP Sarah Mitchell said she also supported Mr Barilaro and said that internal party issues should be raised in the party room and not the media.

“John has my full support,” she told reporters in Sydney on Monday.

“He is an excellent leader of the Nationals, he’s done a great job fighting for regional NSW.

“Any other matters that any member wants to raise should happen within the National party room and not the media.

“I think John is an excellent leader, I think he is in a strong position.”