Accusations fly both ways on Bolt Report
Bronwyn Bishop made the shock claim that Bolt knew about her resignation before she did, after Andrew Bolt pressed her during an interview on his programme.
PT0M32S 620 349Conservative columnist Andrew Bolt knew Bronwyn Bishop was going to resign before she had spoken to Tony Abbott and accepted her fate, the former Speaker has claimed.
I think you knew [Andrew]. In fact, I know you knew the morning I resigned before I knew I was going to resign.
Bronwyn Bishop
Mrs Bishop gave the rare insight into her removal as Speaker from her point of view during a heated appearance on Bolt's show on Sky News on Tuesday evening.
Bronwyn Bishop indicated she had had the support of some Liberals to ride out the "choppergate" scandal without quitting. Photo: James Brickwood
Bolt accused Mrs Bishop of "betraying" Mr Abbott and repeatedly demanded an explanation as to why she turned on the former prime minister to support Malcolm Turnbull in last year's leadership coup.
Under cross-examination, in which she repeatedly attempted to move the interview on to more comfortable terrain, Mrs Bishop indicated she had had the support of some Liberals to ride out the "choppergate" scandal without quitting.
"I was prepared to stand my ground and face the Parliament and there were many others in the party who were prepared to do so too. That didn't happen," she said.
Tony Abbott kisses Mrs Bishop after the party room meeting where Tony Smith was elected to replace her last year. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
"Indeed I think you knew [Andrew]. In fact, I know you knew the morning I resigned before I knew I was going to resign."
Mrs Bishop last week confirmed that Mr Abbott had asked her to resign, and that she had only decided to resign once he asked.
At 6.33am on Sunday, August 2 - hours before her resignation was announced - Bolt blogged: "Bronwyn Bishop will resign very soon. This cannot go on."
Andrew Bolt did not respond to the allegation he knew of her resignation early. Photo: Joe Armao
At 5.55pm, he updated: "Two weeks too late, but at least it is done. This should force Tony Abbott to reassess his media advice or his willingness to accept it."
Bolt had called on Mrs Bishop to resign as early as July 17, just over a fortnight before Mr Abbott accepted that she had to go to stem the month-long scandal over her use of $5000 in taxpayer money to charter a helicopter from Melbourne to Geelong in November to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser.
On July 30, Bolt blogged that 'choppergate' had become a leadership issue because Mr Turnbull and deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop were publicly attacking Mrs Bishop while Mr Abbott remained loyal.
"Suddenly a problem for the government is a problem for Abbott personally, again raising the question: is he too loyal to make tough calls?" he wrote.
In April Mrs Bishop lost preselection for the safe Sydney seat she has held from more than two decades.
On Tuesday, Bolt did not respond to the allegation he knew of the resignation early but called on Mrs Bishop again to explain her "betrayal" of Mr Abbott.
Bolt: Bronwyn that's not good enough. Why did you turn against him?
Bishop: I'm afraid that's it, Andrew. Now let's get on with it
Bolt: This is the 'it', Bronwyn, you weren't hired on Sky News to cover up.
Fairfax Media has sought comment from Mr Abbott.
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