Australia, Global Sentinel

Morrison accused of worsening rift with French government after leak of Macron text

Release of message from French president described as ‘highly unconventional behaviour between state leaders’

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Scott Morrison has been accused of putting his personal political interests ahead of healing Australia’s diplomatic rift with France, after the leaking of a text message from Emmanuel Macron to the prime minister.

The release of a text received two days before the Aukus announcement – when the French president asked Morrison whether to expect good or bad news on the submarine project – was “highly unconventional behaviour between state leaders”, a leading foreign affairs analyst said.