‘Speakman treated unfairly’: Ex-Liberal minister Rob Stokes defends former leader

Ex-Liberal minister Rob Stokes has called out his old colleagues’ treatment of Mark Speakman, claiming the former leader of the opposition faced “nothing but headwinds” during his time in charge.

Mark Speakman prepares to front media to announce his resignation on November 21, 2025. Picture: Nikki Short

Former Liberal minister Rob Stokes has spoken out about his “friend” Mark Speakman, saying he felt the 66-year-old barrister had been treated “unfairly”.

“He got the hardest job in the worst time in the political cycle and he has faced nothing but headwinds. I think he has been treated unfairly,” Mr Stokes said.

“He had to deal with Rory Amon’s child sex charges (Amon has pleaded not guilty), the jailing of Gareth Ward on rape convictions, the federal election defeat and the subsequent implosion over net zero - all of which he had to confront and none of which he caused.”

Mr Stokes, who sat with Mr Speakman on Thursday afternoon as MPs attempted to confront the Liberal in his locked office, said he happened to be in parliament when he learnt of what was unfolding.

“I went to listen to a friend who was going through a hard time,” Mr Stokes said.

He revealed Mr Speakman used to joke about being ousted.

“He has a very dry sense of humour and he once said if things are tough and it looks like we are doing badly, they’ll drop me and if things are looking positive and it looks like we are going to win, they will drop me,” Mr Stokes said.

Former minister Rob Stokes called the treatment of Mark Speakman unfair.

“That’s the nature of being an opposition leader. It’s like Moses leading the people in the wilderness. He got to see the promised land, but not enter it.

“One thing that strikes me as deeply problematic about contemporary politics, the qualities that marked him out as a great leader - his kindness, honesty, humility and compassion - were derided as a weakness in a society that equates hardness, arrogance, ambition and brutality as the markers of success of political leaders.”

The inside story of Mark Speakman’s wild final day as NSW Liberal leader was anchored in tragedy and farce.

As he sat bunkered in his locked office for more than an hour, a besieged Liberal leader Mark Speakman contemplated his future.

He had come out fighting on Thursday after an attempt by a cross-factional delegation of MPs to dislodge him from the top job late Wednesday night had failed.

The trio – as revealed by The Daily Telegraph – had marched into his office to show him how he had lost the support of the majority of his MPs.

But instead of taking the cue to stand aside and in the absence of a direct challenge, Mr Speakman dug in.

Yesterday morning, he hit the phones to radio talkback hosts, declaring his intention was to “bat on”.

One-on-one media appearances were also organised – including with this masthead.

“He’s about to do KOFM community radio in Swansea,” one bemused MP quipped.

But the media blitz only angered his MPs.

Several began publicly calling for an end to the leadership farce.

By midafternoon, bizarre scenes began to unfold.

About 10 pre-organised media interviews were cancelled.

His staff stopped returning media calls.

MPs claimed Mr Speakman had locked himself in his office.

Several MPs who tried to visit his office – including Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane – were greeted only with a locked door.

MPs reported Mr Speakman had locked himself in his ‘bunker’ before his resignation on Thursday. Picture Thomas Lisson

Among those who were able to meet with Mr Speakman included senior moderate MP Mark Coure.

A Liberal source said he was more “honest” with Mr Speakman about how the day could end.

It can be revealed former cabinet minister Rob Stokes also spoke to the Liberal ­leader.

Mr Stokes – also once a leadership contender and a member of the moderates – was in Parliament House in his capacity as an Anglicare Sydney executive, for a Christmas “toys and tucker” charity event.

Upon hearing of Mr Speakman’s predicament, he checked in on his former ­colleague.

It is understood Mr Stokes played a supportive role and did not try to influence Mr Speakman’s decision.

But the Liberal leader had already made up his mind.

Mr Speakman later emerged from his office and walked into Ms Sloane’s office, where she told him she “wished to take the leadership”.

Less than two hours later, Mr Speakman resigned.

Mr Speakman resigned two hours after speaking with Ms Sloane. Picture Thomas Lisson

The announcement ends months of paralysis within the NSW Liberal frontbench, amid threats of a challenge by either Ms Sloane’s camp or that of fellow barrister Alister Henskens.

The ongoing turmoil has been attributed to Mr Speakman avoiding any media appearances for the past 11 days.

Ironically, prior the confrontation by moderate powerbroker Chris Rath – who had been doing Ms Sloane’s numbers – James Wallace and centre-right figure Scott Farlow on Wednesday night, Mr Speakman had appeared to have rediscovered his mojo.

Guests at the end-of-year press gallery Christmas party on Wednesday night say he delivered a hilarious speech, even poking fun at Ms Sloane and Mr Henskens.

During Question Time on Wednesday, he seemed extra energised.

“I’ve never seen him look this good,” one senior Labor source said.

But shortly before 8pm on Wednesday, as the party crowd thinned, Mr Speakman headed back to his office only for Mr Rath, Mr Farlow and Mr Wallace to follow.

The trio had been sounding out MPs over the past few days before deciding to meet with Mr Speakman.

Many of the frontbench were disillusioned and the majority agreed something had to change. But with Mr Henskens’ backers realising they did not have the numbers, it would be left up to Ms Sloane’s moderates and centre right backers to act.

The trio organised to confront Mr Speakman after the Christmas drinks, and go through the numbers with him.

During the meeting, one of the trio received an SMS alert to a breaking story on Sky News about an imminent leadership challenge – but chose not to inform Mr Speakman.

He dug in.

NSW Opposition Liberal leader Mark Speakman during Question Time at State Parliament before his resignation. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The Daily Telegraph can reveal a second delegation of MPs went to meet with Mr Speakman, which included Mr Rath and right-wing frontbencher Damien Tudehope.

“We want to send another delegation to meet with him, but he’s locked himself in his bunker,” one MP said.

“There’s about four doors and we can’t get in.”

Several party elders say the leadership saga had left the NSW Liberals looking like “a basket case”, “a bunch of morons” and “cowardly”.

Ms Sloane had long been a somewhat reluctant challenger.

While being open to taking on the top job, the former TV journalist and charity CEO has only ever indicated she would take on the role if it was vacated.

But in the end, it was Ms Sloane herself declaring that she wanted the job that would set the course of history.

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Originally published as ‘Speakman treated unfairly’: Ex-Liberal minister Rob Stokes defends former leader