Senior West Australian Liberal MPs are understood to be moving to oust the Government Upper House whip after he made disparaging comments about Premier Colin Barnett when recent leadership tensions flared.

Government Leader of the Upper House and Liberal Party powerbroker Peter Collier on Thursday confirmed he "had words with" Legislative Council whip Phil Edman.

He said he had "explained to him that speaking out against the Government or against the leader is inappropriate."

After a recent Newspoll showed Mr Barnett's approval rating as preferred premier had sunk to just 32 per cent, there was speculation the Premier could face a leadership spill.

That speculation intensified after WA's biggest property developer Nigel Satterley suggested Treasurer Mike Nahan was behind the plans for the spill motion because he wanted to install Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis as Premier.

The plot was immediately denied by Dr Nahan and no spill motion eventuated but as the issue played out in May, Mr Edman raised eyebrows amongst his senior colleagues when he publicly declared Mr Barnett's position should be reviewed after the Federal election on July 2.

Government whips are considered senior members of the Government whose job it is to manage their MPs during parliamentary proceedings.

The ABC understands Mr Edman has been asked to resign the whip position, but his refusal has triggered moves by some Upper House Liberal MPs, who elect the Legislative Council whip, to roll Mr Edman from the position later this month.

MPs 'disappointed by whip's comments'

If Mr Edman is removed from the position, it would be the first major fallout from the recent leadership issues that have surfaced in the WA parliamentary Liberal Party.

Asked whether Mr Edman enjoyed his full support to remain the whip, Mr Collier said "Phil will enjoy my support as long as he understands he is a part of a team and he understands that."

Mr Collier said the majority of Liberal Upper House MPs backed Mr Edman to keep the position "at the moment", but there were a number who were disappointed by his recent "inappropriate comments."

Mr Collier was also categorical in his support of Mr Barnett to remain leader.

"Colin Barnett has my 100 per cent support," he said.

"As far as I'm concerned he'll take us into the next election and he'll win the next election."

Mr Edman declined to comment.