War erupts in Liberal Party as Tony Abbott defends Katherine Deves: Scott Morrison: election

A civil war has broken out within the Liberal Party after Tony Abbott backed a candidate's rants on transgender people amid growing pressure on the Prime Minister to dump her. High profile Liberal Matt Kean, the New South Wales treasurer, publicly challenged Scott Morrison to dis-endorse Liberal candidate for Warringah, Katherine Deves, following a string of controversies. Katherine Deves, considered Morrison's 'captain's pick' for the key seat in the May 21 federal poll, has drawn a furnace of criticism for her past statements about transgender people High profile Liberal Matt Kean, the NSW treasurer, publicly challenged Scott Morrison to dispense with Liberal candidate for Warringah 'There is no place in a mainstream political party for bigotry,' Mr Kean said in a Twitter post. Katherine Deves has been lambasted for her Twitter comments on trans children This is the tweet in which Ms Deves made her controversial comments about transgender teenagers Former prime minister Tony Abbott has called for the Liberal Party to stand by Ms Deves Mr Kean, an outspoken suicide prevention advocate, was disturbed by what he interpreted as 'persecution' of trans people.