Senior Labor MP Simon Crean told radio announcer Alan Jones on 2BG this morning he "didn't see" a text message from Kevin Rudd carrying a critical message: the former PM didn't have the numbers to run in a leadership spill.
"I didn't get the text because I was up at this launch and a subsequent press conference," he said.
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Mr Crean said he instead spoke with Chris Bowen, who had been delegated by Kevin Rudd to discuss the issue.
"I said Chris, are you certain that all the people counting in your team are unanomous in the view that we should preceed? He said yes."
According to several media reports, the text message read: "Gidday Simon. I'm told you saw the PM last night. If that's so and if in any way it touches the leadership, and if you are making public comments, please give me a call beforehand. My position is as before. All the best. Kevin."
Mr Crean admitted the text existed this morning, but denied seeing it ahead of calling on Julia Gillard to announce a leadership spill.
Without the numbers to run, Mr Rudd declined to contest the spill and left Ms Gillard standing unopposed for the Labor leadership.
