Defiant Scott Morrison resists pressure to resign, defends secret portfolios as ‘necessary’

Former PM says the powers he assumed could have been misinterpreted and misunderstood' and caused unnecessary angst if made public

• Australia news live: Scott Morrison says at press conference he didn't reveal secret powers over concerns they would be misinterpreted'
• Secret ministerial appointments made Australia vulnerable, home affairs minister says
• Get our free news app, morning email briefing or daily news podcast

Scott Morrison says he will not resign from federal parliament after his five secret ministry self-appointments were revealed, defending his decision to keep those ministries concealed because he says he never exercised the powers he had.

Morrison, at a press conference in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon, struck a defiant tone and said he would remain as the member for Cook, despite growing calls from some even inside his own party for him to quit.

Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning