Malcolm Turnbull defends use of secret messaging apps and private email server

Opposition suggests prime minister's use of non-government emails and mobile apps such as Wickr and Confide could be tactic to avoid legitimate scrutiny

Malcolm Turnbull has defended his use of non-government emails and secret messaging applications such as Wickr after the opposition suggested it could be a tactic to avoid legitimate scrutiny.

The Australian reported on Friday that the prime minister had been operating a private email server outside the federal parliament's secure system, and had also used apps such as Confide and Wickr to communicate with colleagues and journalists.