What DID Malcolm Turnbull say about Kevin Rudd's wife? Row erupts over claims ex-PM made 'unflattering' comments about Therese Rein

  • Ben Fordham claims Malcolm Turnbull rang a reporter about a story in 2009 
  • Ex PM allegedly tried to shut down story on comments about Therese Rein 
  • Mr Turnbull has denied Fordham's account, calling it 'fantasy' in a Twitter post  

By Charlie Moore, Political Reporter For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Ben Fordham has claimed Malcolm Turnbull once told a reporter 'my tentacles reach far and wide' in bid to shut down a story about him.

Fordham said Mr Turnbull called a Nine Network TV reporter in 2009 to stop any coverage of 'unflattering' comments he supposedly made about Kevin Rudd's wife Therese Rein in 'social settings'.

According to the 2GB radio host, Mr Turnbull urged the young reporter to ignore the story and warned 'my tentacles reach far and wide'.

Ben Fordham has claimed Malcolm Turnbull (pictured in March with wife Lucy) told a reporter 'my tentacles reach far and wide' in bid to shut down a report about him

Ben Fordham has claimed Malcolm Turnbull (pictured in March with wife Lucy) told a reporter 'my tentacles reach far and wide' in bid to shut down a report about him

The journalist said the channel would 'weigh everything up' before running the story but did not guarantee it would be ignored. 

Mr Turnbull then allegedly pushed harder, saying: 'Do I need to call (news director) Ian Cook? Do I need to call James?' in reference to then Nine owner James Packer.

Fordham, who did not reveal what Mr Turnbull allegedly said about Ms Rein, said the journalist 'stood his ground' and ran the story on the 6pm news.

Mr Turnbull flatly denied Fordham's comments, writing on Twitter: 'Ben Fordham's account is fantasy - right down to the (tentacles emoji).'

But Fordham hit back, writing: 'It happened. Malcolm may not remember. But the person on the other end of the call has never forgotten it. They reported it immediately to the boss.' 

Mr Turnbull allegedly wanted to stop 'unflattering' comments he supposedly made about Kevin Rudd's wife Therese Rein (pictured together in 2008) in 'social settings'

Mr Turnbull allegedly wanted to stop 'unflattering' comments he supposedly made about Kevin Rudd's wife Therese Rein (pictured together in 2008) in 'social settings' 

Mr Turnbull denied Fordham's comments, writing on Twitter: 'Ben Fordham's account is fantasy - right down to the (tentacles emoji)'

Mr Turnbull denied Fordham's comments, writing on Twitter: 'Ben Fordham's account is fantasy - right down to the (tentacles emoji)'

It came two days after his wife Lucy Turnbull accused the Morrison Government of interfering with the ABC's independence after the Senate called an inquiry into its complaints handling procedures. 

Fordham told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Turnbull's denial of the story was 'hollow' but said he may have forgotten the call.

Fordham said he would on Wednesday reveal a second example of Mr Turnbull giving the same warning about the reach of his 'tentacles' to another journalist.   

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Turnbull's office for comment. 

Fordham (pictured) said he would on Wednesday reveal a second example of Mr Turnbull giving the same warning about the reach of his 'tentacles' to another journalist

Fordham (pictured) said he would on Wednesday reveal a second example of Mr Turnbull giving the same warning about the reach of his 'tentacles' to another journalist

Malcolm TurnbullBen Fordham

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