Malcolm Turnbull says he was ousted by his Liberal colleagues because they thought he would win the next federal election.

Key points: Mr Turnbull said the Coalition was in a worse position now than under his leadership

Mr Turnbull said the Coalition was in a worse position now than under his leadership He said his removal was a "form of madness" by those who feared he would win

He said his removal was a "form of madness" by those who feared he would win Mr Turnbull was appearing on the BBC's Politics Live program in the UK

Mr Turnbull told the BBC "internal politics of the Liberal Party" led to his demise as Australia's 29th Prime Minister.

"As I said at the time it was essentially a form of madness that occurred, whipped up internally and also amplified by voices in the media," Mr Turnbull told the Politics Live program in London.

"Basically, you could argue that their concern was not that I'd lose the election but rather that I'd win it."

Host Andrew Neil challenged Mr Turnbull on the claim, telling him "that's not credible" and reminding him the Government was behind the opposition in 40 consecutive polls.

But Mr Turnbull stuck by his statement, saying the Coalition had "level pegging" in the polls.

"We had essentially drawn even, and in our own polling in the marginal seats, which is obviously the only ones that matter, you know, in terms of determining government, we were ahead," Mr Turnbull said.

The former member for Wentworth was removed as prime minister after a Liberal Party leadership spill in August last year, and subsequently resigned from parliament.

He was replaced by Scott Morrison, whom Mr Turnbull said was in a "worse position" than he was in when the coup happened.

"Normally when you replace a leader, you replace the unpopular person whose fate is sealed with somebody who is much more popular and gives you a chance at winning," Mr Turnbull said.

"That was not what happened.

"The party on any of the objective indications is polling in a worse position than it was in August, I mean you can't deny that's a fact."

Mr Turnbull's critique, just two months out from an election, is likely to frustrate his former colleagues who are trying to present a united front.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, who backed Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton in the leadership challenge, described it as "ancient history", while Turnbull-backer Christopher Pyne brushed off the comments, saying the former PM could say what he liked.

In his interview, Mr Turnbull also ruled out any further tilts at politics.

"I'm always interested in politics but I won't be engaging in the partisan, political battle," he said.

"I'm a Liberal, no question about that, but I've retired from politics."

His comments came in the same week former foreign minister Julie Bishop, who received just 11 votes in the leadership spill, told the Sunday Times in Perth she would have beaten Opposition Leader Bill Shorten at this year's election.

Ms Bishop is one of several high profile Liberals who will retire at the poll, including Cabinet ministers Mr Pyne, Steve Ciobo, Kelly O'Dwyer, Nigel Scullion and Human Services Minister Michael Keenan.