Former Labor Minister Graham Richardson believes Malcolm Turnbull is banking on being “kicked out” of the Liberal Party in order to look like a “martyr”.

Mr Turnbull told an event in Washington DC that voting for independents will thwart the party’s shift to the right, particularly on the issue of climate change.

Graham Richardson told Jim Wilson, the former PM is acting like a “double agent”.

“You can’t allow someone to be a double agent,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview and Graham’s full comments on Malcolm Turnbull