Australia’s top public servant has denied he ordered the phones and emails to be cut off for 13 ministers who switched allegiance from Malcolm Turnbull to Peter Dutton this week.

The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet head, Martin Parkinson, has denied media reports that Turnbull ordered “swift and furious” payback against the ministers who turned against him.

An MP quoted in the Australian described the alleged treatment as “brutal and vindictive”.

The front page report claimed Parkinson had sent official notices ordering communications to the ministers offices to be cut off.

The report said four out of 13 ministers had their communications shut down within hours of their resignations.

“There is no factual basis for any of these assertions,” Parkinson said in a statement.

He maintained it was a key requirement that departing ministers and their office be supported and accorded “utmost courtesy and respect”.

Parkinson said the Australian public service had an important role to play during changes in prime ministership or ministries.

“I am disappointed that our reputation has been called into question by false reporting,” he said.

“I have only observed public servants acting with complete professionalism throughout this week.”

He has sought a retraction from the paper.