Barnaby Joyce: Australia PM's remarks 'inept', Deputy says

Australian Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has sharply criticised the nation's leader, Malcolm Turnbull, in an escalation of tensions that have rocked the government.

On Thursday, Mr Turnbull admonished Mr Joyce for making a "shocking error" over his affair with a former staffer - saying it had set off a "world of woe". It prompted the PM to officially ban sex between ministers and their staff. Mr Joyce said Mr Turnbull's remarks were "inept" and "unnecessary". "In many instances, they caused further harm," said Mr Joyce, who leads junior coalition party the Nationals.

'Coalition in crisis'

Labor said the Liberal-Nationals coalition was "in crisis". The conservative parties have formed every non-Labor government since World War Two. Mr Joyce said he would try to repair his relationship with Mr Turnbull, but again stared down calls to resign. Mr Turnbull has repeatedly said Mr Joyce's future is a decision for the Nationals, most of whom have publicly backed their leader. Mr Joyce's relationship with his former media adviser, Vikki Campion, has raised several politically damaging questions since it was revealed last week. Courtesy: BBC