One Nation boss called David Farley an ‘asshole’ in lead-up to Farrer byelection, text messages reveal

Exclusive: Documents seen by Guardian Australia show that Kelvin Morton has also clashed with party HQ staff and Brisbane volunteers

• Get our new political email, free app or daily news podcast

One Nation’s general manager, Kelvin Morton – brought in by the party to improve its vetting processes – referred to David Farley as an “asshole” just days before Farley’s historic Farrer byelection win for the party in May.

In a series of text messages seen by Guardian Australia, Morton responds to a news article published in the Sydney Morning Herald about infighting among senior party figures over Farley’s previously undeclared support for the Labor party.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here