Michael Dunkley has lambasted the suggestion that he is in cohoots with Ewart Brown, the former Premier, to have Marc Bean ousted.

Several sources told this newspaper that the Leader of the Opposition was heard making the statement at a meeting held at Alaska Hall last week.

The Premier wrote on his personal Twitter page: “A new definition of fantasy ... RG headline today ... ‘PLP leader claims Dunkley-Brown conspiracy’.”

Mr Bean would not comment on whether he made the claim or not, saying only: “I do not comment on internal matters.”

When contacted by this newspaper regarding the tweet, Mr Dunkley declined to comment.

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