Nine publisher says he was not contacted by Peter Costello over Nine’s Crown coverage

James Chessell sends email to staff after both he and the Nine chairman were the subject of an email attack by James Packer

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our free news app, morning email briefing or daily news podcast

The Sydney Morning Herald and the Age's publisher,James Chessell, has told staff at the Nine newspapers that he was not contacted by the Nine chairman, Peter Costello, in relation to the group's award-winning coverage of money laundering at Crown casino.

I never heard a word from Peter Costello about Crown Unmasked before, during or after publication/broadcast," Chessell said in an email to staff on Monday morning, after both he and the Nine chairman were the subject of an email attack by billionaire James Packer.