Anthony Albanese hasn’t asked about Adem Somyurek sting operation

Anthony Albanese has failed to investigate the role of one of his senior backbenchers in the downfall of a right-wing factional war lord.

Labor MP Anthony Byrne. Picture: Kym Smith

Anthony Albanese has failed to investigate the role of one of his senior backbenchers in the downfall of a right-wing factional war lord, dragging the Labor leader further into the scandal.

The Opposition Leader said on Tuesday he had not spoken to Victorian MP Anthony Byrne, who is accused of knowing of or participating in the extraordin­ary sting operation to oust former Victorian minister Adem Somyurek.

A staff member of Mr Byrne’s is also being blamed by Somyurek forces for secret recordings that led to Mr Somyurek’s sacking from the Victorian cabinet and resignation from the ALP.

The scandal claimed its third cabinet minister in the Andrews government on Tuesday when Marlene Kairouz quit the frontbench after being recorded discussing branch stacking. 

The ALP has voted for national intervention in the Victorian branch, with rank-and-file voting rights to be suspended until 2023 and party elders Steve Bracks and Jenny Macklin to act as administrators.

At least some of the recordings at the centre of the scandal were allegedly conducted in Mr Byrne’s office, with the Somyurek forces accusing the federal MP of knowing about the sting.

Mr Albanese said on Tuesday that he had not spoken to Mr Byrne about the recordings and said he had no idea why hidden cameras were in his office.

“I’m not aware,’’ he told Sydney radio station 2GB. “I don’t know the answer to that. And those issues will be investigated by the police and by the anti-corruption authority.’’

Asked whether he had spoken to Mr Byrne about the scandal, Mr Albanese said: “No, I haven’t.’’

Confronted by The Australian after caucus, Mr Byrne also dodged questions about his involvement in the surveillance of Mr Somyurek. He said he had “no comment” over whether he was aware there were recordin­gs of Mr Somyurek in his electorate office in Melbourne.

“It has been referred to two corruption integrity bodies, so I’ve got no comment to make,” he said. 

Mr Byrne and Mr Somyurek are former friends and political allies­ but Mr Somyurek is believed to be furious with the federal MP, accusing him of involvement in the sting.

The pair are from the Victorian Right faction. Speculation is rife about what motivated the covert operation against Mr Somyurek. The Australian tried to speak to Mr Byrne’s adviser, Alex Stalder.

The sting produced damning commentary from Mr Somyurek, who was recorded uttering homophobic and sexist slurs and bragging about branch stacking and his power in the party.

The federal intervention was requested by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. The Australian understands Mr Andrews will make further announcements on Wednesday regarding the process involved in reforming the ALP’s membership system.

“No one should underestimate my resolve to deal with these issues­ properly, and to make sure that we make really significant reform­,” the Premier said.

Andrews government MP Tim Richardson has said there could be national security implications.

An ally of Mr Somyurek, he said the recordings were a concern given Mr Byrne’s role as deputy chairman of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security. He called for an investigatio­n by the Australian Federal Police and ASIO.

The Australian has also spoken to a Liberal member of the powerful committee who says there should be an investigation into Mr Byrne’s role in the recordings.

“We don’t know who put those recordings in,’’ Mr Richardson told Sky News. “We don’t know what has been compromised. That is a great concern.’’