NSW Liberal apparatchik Jason Falinski has reacted forcefully to the front-page claims in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph that he’s been eyeing off his mate John Brogden’s seat.

This must be a week for blistering emails. Falinski is in China at the moment, and he sent this response around yesterday:

Dear Friends

I understand that there is a story in today’s Daily Telegraph regarding my aspirations. The story is false, and its conclusions highly offensive in the extreme.

The
most distressing part of this story is the unnecessary concern that
this might cause John, especially after I thought it impossible that
the Telegraph under David Penberthy could do any more harm…”

The Telegraph today says it “made repeated attempts to contact Mr Falinski on Tuesday”.

The
email continues: “John is a close and long-standing personal friend. I
have never had any intention of challenging him, nor has anyone
discussed any such matter with me or me with anyone else… Even if John
were to resign I am unable to change careers for at least four years as
I have just started a new business, in which I have sunk my meagre life
savings and borrowed money, further, I have a contract with my other
investors that binds me to the company for a five year period.”

Falinski
explained the transferral of his party membership into Brogden’s
electorate by saying: “In January of this year I ended a relationship
and moved into a house in Terrey Hills that my brother and I own.
Within four weeks of this I spoke to Ross Barlow, John Brogden and
others about moving to a local branch. If it is the Telegraph’s supposition that I predicted events this far out – well, I should be investing more money in the stock market.”

Liberal
branch lists are supposedly confidential, and Falinski has accused a
Bronwyn Bishop staffer of leaking the information about his transferral.

“Ms
Bishop responded yesterday by saying she would not allow Liberal Party
factionalism to creep into her seat’s branches,” today’s Telegraph story says.
It’s a noble thought, but the factionalism seems to be already there
and constantly kept on the boil. Just as it is across the Liberal Party
as a whole.