'Storm in a teacup': Peter Dutton plays down Scott Morrison's call to NSW top cop

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says concerns about a recent phone call between the prime minister and NSW police commissioner are a storm in a teacup.

Mr Dutton said the opposition was "desperately scratching around for a win" by focusing on the matter. Source: AAP

Peter Dutton says concerns about a telephone call between the prime minister and NSW police chief are a "storm in a teacup".

The home affairs minister has dismissed Labor's concerns about the conversation, which centred on a police investigation into Energy Minister Angus Taylor.

Mr Dutton said the opposition was "desperately scratching around for a win" by focussing on the matter.

The home affairs minister has come to the defence of his party leader. Source: AAP

Scott Morrison has been accused of interfering in the police inquiry, either by accident or design.

"It is a storm in a teacup," Mr Dutton told the Nine Network on Friday.

"He was trying to get the facts of the case."

Senate crossbencher Jacqui Lambie said the phone call was not a good look.

"I can tell you now it was not a smart move - I would not have done that if I was the prime minister," she told ABC radio on Friday.

"It does not look good, it is not good. It doesn't matter what was discussed, now everybody out there is concerned and saying, 'My goodness me, you're covering the butt of your own people here'."

Mr Taylor is under investigation for giving a newspaper doctored documents to attack the travel expenses of the Sydney lord mayor.

Labor is refusing to grant the minister a pair to travel to an international energy forum next week, arguing he must remain in Australia to answer questions while the police investigation continues.