Sussan Ley could face preselection battle amid claims of ‘toxic’ branch-stacking by far-right Liberals

The threat to the environment minister comes after Scott Morrison urged MPs not to get distracted

One of the Coalition's most senior women, the federal environment minister Sussan Ley, is expected to face a challenge in her rural New South Wales seat of Farrer amid allegations of toxic" branch-stacking by far-right conservatives in the seat.

The threat comes as the prime minister, Scott Morrison, urged Liberal colleagues not to get distracted" by a tumultuous preselection season in NSW in which at least four sitting MPs are being challenged, including two female marginal seat holders.