"I believe they were in many instances inept and most definitely in many instances unnecessary." They were unnecessary because the details of the affair were already well-publicised, Mr Joyce said, and there was no need for Mr Turnbull to "pull the scab off for everybody to have a look at". It is understood the Deputy Prime Minister was completely sidelined by the Prime Minster's public intervention and no warning was given to Mr Joyce over the personal nature of the attack. Mr Joyce stressed the junior Coalition partner was an "independent political unit" that makes its own decisions - especially decisions about senior leadership positions. The comments suggest an irrevocable shift in the relationship between the parties has now begun, with government sources warning it has now moved from one of mutual-trust to a transactional relationship.

Mr Joyce asserted Mr Turnbull's intervention on Thursday backfired, saying that, "far from assisting", attempts to meddle in National Party affairs "locks people in as they lock in behind the leader". "I would not be making comments, or implied comments, about the leadership of the Liberal Party, and we don't expect to get implied comments about the leadership of the National Party." Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Mr Joyce said he had the support of his constituents in New England, citing the December byelection in which he received a 65 per cent primary vote, and said it was "incumbent upon all people to make sure we get back to the issues that are important". But the open warfare between the country's leader and his deputy puts enormous strain on the Coalition government halfway through Mr Turnbull's second term, as he attempts to negotiate a one-seat majority in the lower house amid consistently poor poll results and a restless backbench.

Mr Joyce reiterated that it “was incredibly important for our nation that the [Liberal and National parties] get together and work closely". He reaffirmed he would not resign despite the enormous fracture that has opened up between the partners. “Quite simply because that is not a decision of my colleagues and the right of the leader of the National Party to reflect on where the colleagues are and my colleagues support me,” he said. “We have a job to do. This was a personal issue dragged into the public arena and I do not believe people should resign in any job because of personal issues," he said. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has instituted a ban on ministers having sexual relationships with staff. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

On Friday, Mr Turnbull doubled down on his criticism of his deputy in two seperate press conferences, defending his response by stating his views on the "hurt and humilation" caused by Mr Joyce were also widely held within the National Party “He has made an error of judgment obviously,” Mr Turnbull told reporters in Tasmania. “He recognises that, he has apologised, he has taken some leave and he is considering his position.” He reiterated he had not sought in any way to influence deliberations of the National Party. "Expressing views or disapproval or criticism of Barnaby's own conduct is not a criticism of the National Party, indeed the sentiments that I expressed yesterday, which I stand by, are quite consistent with those expressed by many members off the National Party itself," he said.