Wayne Swan warns against Labor bloodletting as focus moves to MP Anthony Byrne

Federal ALP president says acts of revenge are entirely counterproductive', after leaked texts further tarnish party's image

The Labor party's federal president, Wayne Swan, has urged his colleagues to desist from tit-for-tat leaks in the wake of Victoria's branch-stacking scandal.

After derogatory text messages were leaked as part of the escalating fallout from the Adem Somyurek imbroglio, and with senior figures bracing for more damaging material to come, Swan told Guardian Australia acts of revenge whether in politics or in human relationships" were entirely counterproductive".