NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian instructed her ministers to steer clear of the harassment claims against Opposition Leader Luke Foley on Thursday, as Labor MPs say panic is starting to set in.

Ms Berejiklian, who was not in Parliament on Thursday because she was at a family funeral, made it clear to her party that it should "focus on policy not personalities" in question time.

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley watches the floor during question time. Credit:Peter Rae

"Her view is that we don't want to let ourselves be dragged into the gutter," one senior minister said.

Her orders came after Mr Foley threatened in Parliament on Wednesday to dish dirt on ministers if they pursued claims that he allegedly harassed a female ABC journalist at a CBD bar in December 2016.