Attorney General George Brandis has been accused of misleading parliament over a controversial directive to the commonwealth solicitor-general.
Senator Brandis told the Senate in September Justin Gleeson had been consulted during a meeting in November 2015, over new guidelines ruling that no one in government, including the prime minister, could seek the solicitor's advice without the minister's permission.
In a submission to a Senate inquiry into the saga, released on Wednesday, Mr Gleeson rejected that claim.
"At no time at that meeting did the attorney general indicate he was considering issuing a legally binding direction concerning the performance of the functions of the solicitor general or a requirement that a Commonwealth person of body could only approach the solicitor general after receiving the attorney general's advance approval," he wrote.
Labor's shadow attorney general Mark Dreyfus seized on submission saying as the Commonwealth's first law officer, the attorney general needs to be beyond reproach when it comes to matters of integrity.
"It is clear that in lying to the Australian parliament and the Australian people that Senator Brandis has failed in his duties," Mr Dreyfus said in a statement.
"Senator Brandis has attempted this power grab and then covered it up."
He reiterated his call that Senator Brandis should resign.
Comment has been sought from Senator Brandis.
In a submission to the inquiry Senator Brandis insists the solicitor-general was consulted orally at a meeting on November 30 and invited to provide written suggestions.
He said he continued to work with the solicitor-general on a "cordial and professional basis".
"I remain willing to engage in further consultation with the solicitor-general should he seek it, in order to address any concerns he may continue to have about the process," he wrote.
