Tony Abbott has changed his tune about whether Scott Morrison warned his office of a likely leadership challenge three days before it occurred.
Mr Abbott on Tuesday admitted a conversation did take place between the cabinet minister and his chief of staff Peta Credlin.
That's somewhat of an about-face from his previous accusation that Mr Morrison "badly misled" people in never having warned "anyone", certainly not him, about internal tensions amongst Liberal MPs.
Mr Morrison described that tension as "febrile" and advised Mr Abbott's office to be on high alert for a challenge.
"There was a conversation as I understand it between Scott and Peta Credlin," Mr Abbott told Sydney radio 2GB's Ray Hadley.
"He's obviously put one construction on the conversation, my office put a different construction on the conversation."
Mr Abbott said he wanted to put an end to the story and move on because revisiting the saga would be counterproductive.
"The last thing I want to come out of this interview is a headline `Abbott slams Morrison'."
Mr Morrison, elevated to treasurer by new prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, on Monday revealed he hasn't spoken to Mr Abbott since the leadership ballot a fortnight ago, saying he would give his former leader "space".
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