LEAKED messages between Federal Liberals suggest Julie Bishop was the victim of a dirty tricks campaign during last week’s leadership spill.

A WhatsApp thread of messages among MPs, broadcast today on ABC’s Insiders, appear to show politicians were encouraged not to vote for Ms Bishop in the first round ballot, as doing so would effectively hand Peter Dutton the Prime Ministership.

WhatsApp screenshots from the group calling itself “friends for stability” show MPs were told WA Senator Mathias Cormann was putting votes behind Ms Bishop in the ballot to knock Scott Morrison out of the race – ultimately setting up a contest between Ms Bishop and Peter Dutton, which Mr Dutton would be sure to win.

“Cormann rumoured to be putting some WA votes behind Julie Bishop in round 1”, a message purporting to be from Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher told the group.

“Be aware this is a ruse trying to get her ahead of Morrison so he drops out and his votes go to Dutton.

“Despite our hearts tugging us to Julie we need to vote with our heads for Scott in round one.”

Ms Bishop secured just 11 votes in the first ballot. None of those who voted for her were from WA.

With Ms Bishop knocked out, the contest was between Mr Dutton and Mr Morrison, with the latter winning by five votes.

MPs regularly use WhatsApp to communicate securely outside of official command chains.

One West Australian MP told The West Australian they felt they had been tricked. They said they felt forced to vote against Julie to keep Mr Dutton out of the top job.

“We were forced to vote for Scott in round one,” an MP said.

“There was a lot of people on that list who would have voted for Julie.”