Another shocking case of ABC bias: Senior journalist is suspended after 'leaking an interview' that was critical of Malcolm Turnbull's son

  • A senior correspondent for the ABC has been suspended for two months
  • Peter Lloyd is accused by Alex Turnbull of leaking an off-the-record interview 
  • Mr Lloyd vehemently denies the accusations but admits he copied the audio
  • He says he emailed the interview to his personal account for use at home 

By Alex Chapman For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 21:00 EDT, 1 November 2018 | Updated: 23:08 EDT, 1 November 2018

An ABC reporter has been suspended after Malcolm Turnbull's son lodged a formal complaint against him for leaking an interview.

Senior correspondent Peter Lloyd will be the subject of a two-month investigation into allegations from Alex Turnbull, the son of the former prime minister, that he leaked unaired portions of an interview in August.

The ABC denied on Wednesday that a formal complaint had ever been made to former chairman Justin Milne.

But it has now been revealed that he did in fact receive a call from the younger Mr Turnbull, demanding answers as to how off-the-record comments became public, Fairfax reports.

Embattled ABC senior journalist Peter Lloyd (pictured) has been suspended following accusations of leaking an off-the-record interview to the media

Embattled ABC senior journalist Peter Lloyd (pictured) has been suspended following accusations of leaking an off-the-record interview to the media

The senior correspondent will be the subject of a two-month investigation into allegations from Alex Turnbull, the son of the former prime minister, that he leaked un-aired portions of an interview in August 
The leaked comments were originally published in the Australian Financial Review.

The senior correspondent will be the subject of a two-month investigation into allegations from Alex Turnbull (left), the son of the former prime minister (right), that he leaked un-aired portions of an interview in August 

The leaked comments were originally published in the Australian Financial Review.

The discussion between Alex Turnbull and presenter Emma Alberici was in regards to mining executive Gina Rinehart's influence within the Liberal Party.

The newspaper wrote that Mr Turnbull 'stumbled' through his words and was 'uncharacteristically cautious'.

Mr Turnbull asked for his response not to go to air, concerned he would be liable for defamation.

But somehow his words made their way to the media, with Alex Turnbull accusing Mr Lloyd of providing them.

Mr Lloyd vehemently denies he leaked a copy of the audio, though he did admit to forwarding the interview it to his personal email so he could refer to it at home.

Mr Turnbull says he reached out to former chairman Justin Milne (pictured) personally

Mr Turnbull says he reached out to former chairman Justin Milne (pictured) personally

Alex Turnbull told Fairfax he called Mr Milne personally and threatened to lodge a complaint if the matter wasn't investigated.

'I wanted it dealt with but I didn't want to start World War III,' he said.

He said whoever was responsible was 'not too bright, and technically illiterate'.

Alex Turnbull says he also reached out to Ms Alberici, who assured him the ABC would investigate his concerns.

The incident was initially probed by the broadcaster's human resources team.

However, the ABC have now assigned in-house counsel Loch van den Berg to complete it.

The comments in question were made during an interview with presenter Emma Alberici (pictured)

The comments in question were made during an interview with presenter Emma Alberici (pictured)

Mr Lloyd has since been suspended by the broadcaster. 

An ABC spokeswoman told Fairfax that management had not been contacted by Mr Milne on the allegations and were unaware he had an interest in the matter.

She also said the ABC had received no editorial complaints related to the interview or any resulting reporting on it.

Ms Alberici told Fairfax to 'do some real news' and said the subject was 'bulls***'.

ABC News refuted Fairfax's report and the implication that editorial interference occured in the company's management.

A spokesman for ABC News said: 'ABC News management was at no time contacted by the former Chairman on this issue, nor was aware he had any interest in the matter. 

'The former ABC Managing Director also did not raise this as an issue.'

The spokesman said management became aware of the publication in the Financial Review by reading the initial story.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Peter Lloyd and Alex Turnbull for comment. 

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ABC journalist suspended after former PM Malcolm Turnbull's son accused him leaking interview tapes

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