Abbott says loyalty has to be earned

Tony Abbott has told a joint party room meeting that loyalty has to be earned as Malcolm Turnbull won a leadership ballot.

Former PM Tony Abbott has been one of the key instigators of this week's leadership crisis. Source: AAP

Tony Abbott has told coalition MPs that unity must be created and loyalty earned, as Malcolm Turnbull won a Liberal leadership ballot.

After the Liberals voted 48-35 to support Mr Turnbull over Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, they joined the Nationals in a joint party room meeting in Canberra.

"Unity has to be created and loyalty has to be earned. They can't just be demanded," Mr Abbott told the party room.

He was criticised by Liberal Warren Entsch, who reportedly "got stuck into" Mr Abbott in the joint party room meeting.

Mr Abbott put out a statement responding to reports Mr Entsch had a go at him for undermining the party with his regular public criticism of the prime minister.

"Unlike too many of my colleagues, my practice is take responsibility for what I think and say," Mr Abbott said.