Neil Mitchell says the key point of text messages about Scott Morrison has been missed

Neil Mitchell says it’s not the content of explosive text messages between Scott Morrison’s political colleagues that will trouble the Prime Minister.

He says the fact they appear to have been leaked is the real issue for the embattled leader.

Journalist Peter Van Onselen told Mr Morrison on Tuesday he was in possession of private text messages sent between former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and an unnamed current Liberal cabinet minister.

The PM was branded a ‘horrible person’ and ‘fraud’ and ‘complete psycho’ during the message exchange.

Ms Berejiklian has since said she had “no recollection” of the messages.

Neil Mitchell said politicians bickering privately about close colleagues was nothing new, citing the often tense relationships between Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, and John Howard and Peter Costello.

“It’s always been part of the way the dynamics work in politics,” the 3AW Mornings host said.

“I don’t think Scott Morrison will be all that surprised to see that a member of his cabinet doesn’t think he’s all that good.

“But what is important is that these leaked.

“They’re text messages – only two people have got access to them, unless a phone has been stolen.

“If this leaked from a member of cabinet, then the Prime Minister has got trouble (because) they’re leaking deliberately to destablise him.

“So you’d assume it’s come from one of two people, and Gladys is saying she doesn’t even remember it.”

Press PLAY below to hear Neil Mitchell’s thoughts

Long-time political strategist Toby Ralph, who has worked on five federal elections in Australia, said there was no doubt Mr Morrison was battling in the lead-up to the election.

“He’s having a pretty rough trot, I’ve got to say,” he said.

“But there is a lot of time between now and the election.”

Press PLAY below to hear his thoughts on what the PM is doing wrong

(Photo by Rohan Thomson/Getty Images)