The meeting comprised Malcolm Turnbull and his chief number crunchers: senators Arthur Sinodinos, Scott Ryan, James McGrath and MPs Wyatt Roy and Mal Brough. In the poll just 32.6 per cent of voters nominated Malcolm Turnbull as better PM - compared to Tony Abbott's 33.7 per cent and Julie Bishop's 33.8 per cent. Credit:Andrew Meares Mr Hansen's attendance will provoke further anger among Liberals who believe Ms Bishop played a larger role in ousting Mr Abbott and knew more about the impending coup than she has previously admitted. Senator Abetz, who was a casualty of the leadership change, seized on the revelation in the book by academic Wayne Errington and The Australian's contributing editor Peter van Onselen, and demanded Ms Bishop provide an explanation. Mr Hansen reportedly said little at the meeting, but the book says "his presence spoke volumes".



"I think we are entitled to know whether the chief of staff was there with the imprimatur of the minister and then at the end of the day, what Ms Bishop actually knew," Senator Abetz told reporters at Parliament House.

Senator Abetz suggested Ms Bishop's account of her dealings during the lead up to the spill may not be entirely accurate but said he would give her the benefit of the doubt. Liberal MP Julie Bishop pictured with her chief of staff Murray Hansen. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "I think we are entitled to know the truth," he said. "Certain assurances have been given publicly as to a particular person's state of knowledge and that would suggest that those utterances may not necessarily reflect the circumstances. Not happy: Liberal senator Eric Abetz. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

"That is why I'm saying that there should be an answer or an explanation provided." Special loyalty Malcolm Turnbull and his deputy Julie Bishop, at his first press conference as Prime Minister. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen I think we are entitled to know whether the chief of staff was there with the imprimatur of the minister. Senator Eric Abez Meanwhile, Mr Dutton, in a coded rebuke to MS Bishop, added that the deputy owed a special loyalty to the leader of the party.

"Everybody wants to get behind Malcolm Turnbull to make sure we win the next election, obviously the deputy leader in the party owes a special duty of care and a special loyalty to the leader," he told Sydney radio station 2GB. A special loyalty is required from a deputy, says Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "I don't even know if this is true, no doubt Julie Bishop will clarify the situation. "Obviously it has been claimed in this book and it is a serious suggestion but no doubt Julie will be able to address it, I don't have any knowledge beyond that." Ms Bishop has previously said she found about the coup the day before it happened.

"I had no idea of the timing until the day before, and that's when I informed the prime minister. As soon as I could," she said in the days after the spill. She also said Mr Turnbull had told her "in the days beforehand" that he was intending to challenge Mr Abbott but that there had been talk of a challenge for the past six months. "I provide the information when I think it's at a point where the prime minister must know. But I am not the only person who provides the prime minister with advice and information," she said. Ms Bishop, who has served as deputy to three Liberal leaders, said she did not enjoy the process of dumping the prime minister and revealed tears had been shed. Senator Abetz said Ms Bishop's position as deputy remained secure.

"I would think that she is secure in her position but these revelations today, and especially the source of the revelations, makes it look as though some people are seeking to gain notoriety and I don't think that's very helpful for the Liberal Party," he said. Arriving at Parliament, Dr Hendy said he would not provide any further comment on the spill. "I've said everything I'm going to say. I've got nothing to add," he said. Ms Bishop's office was approached for comment. with James Massola