Federal Liberal MP Andrew Laming apologises for online treatment of two Brisbane women

Scott Morrison says he has put Liberal backbencher Andrew Laming on notice over his “disgraceful” behaviour on social media.

But Labor has branded Morrison’s response to revelations of complaints about Laming’s treatment of two women online as “totally inadequate”, saying he is unfit to be an MP.

Morrison called Laming into his office after learning of the complaints.

“I told him to apologise and deal with it,” he told reporters on Friday.

Morrison indicated he would take a “zero tolerance” approach to the backbencher, who has been regularly criticised for his behaviour on social media.

“He is very clear about my expectations,” the prime minister said.

Nine News reported on Thursday that Laming accused one woman of misappropriating charity funds, which she denies. Alix Russo told Nine that the exchange had led her to contemplate taking her own life.

Another woman, Sheena Hewlett, said that she and her husband Lance, a local councillor, had been targeted for six years with online abuse that left her fearful and distressed.

Laming has apologised to both women in writing and in a statement to parliament, issued shortly before Nine News aired the accusations of online abuse.

“I want to express my regret and deep apologies for the hurt and the distress that communication may have caused,” he said on Thursday.

“I want to retract those comments and issue a public unreserved apology.”

The Queensland backbencher acknowledged he had lessons to learn about his use of words.

“I have made a concerted effort to understand the impact of these responses upon others and demonstrate a clear change in the way I communicate,” he said.

“I want to say to any person who has received correspondence from me which fell short of what they expect from an MP that I intend to own that failure and apologise without hesitation.”

But Labor leader, Anthony Albanese, said that Morrison had “got out the feather” to punish Laming.

Albanese told reporters in Adelaide that Laming’s apology was “belated”. He noted it came after “abuse that has gone on for year after year against people who have done nothing more, according to Andrew Laming, than be upstanding citizens in their community”.

“Quite frankly, the prime minister’s response is totally inadequate, as it always is.

“In my view, Andrew Laming isn’t fit to continue as a member of parliament and if the Liberal Party want to continue to associate themselves with him as what a federal public representative would be, then I’ll look forward to campaigning with the Labor candidate in that seat.”