The Courier-Mail on Friday published the transcript of a telephone message Mr Abbott left with Mr Johnson in February before the Queensland MP was dumped over allegedly using his political position to further his business interests.
In the message Mr Abbott says in part: "I did speak to (LNP state president Bruce) McIver. I said to him as far as I was concerned you'd been a member of the team, in fact a fine member of the team and that I would be very, very disappointed if he wasn't to get right off your case."
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Mr Johnson told ABC radio he received the message and was disappointed with the party's action.
"It just shows the power of the organisation in Queensland over the alternative prime minister of Australia," said Mr Johnson, who is now running as an independent candidate.
"I think it's completely inappropriate.
"Just as Kevin Rudd was thrown out as prime minister by the people in the unelected backroom of the Labor Party, this shows the influence of the former National Party people who run the LNP today."
Mr Abbott has previously stated he supported the decision of the LNP to disendorse Mr Johnson over the legal issues.
Opposition frontbencher Joe Hockey played down the report saying Mr Abbott was not aware of all of Mr Johnson's behaviour prior to making the telephone call.
"As a party leader when someone is in trouble you usually stand by them unless you are aware of other information," he told ABC Radio.
"At that time Tony Abbott wasn't aware of other information."
