Victorian Liberals director resigns after messages mocking the party’s women’s council revealed

Victorian Liberal MP Bev McArthur was mocked in a WhatApp chat by former Victorian Liberal director Stuart Smith. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

The director of the Victorian Liberals, Stuart Smith, has resigned after leaked messages were published in which he ridiculed the party’s women’s council and upper house MP Bev McArthur.

Smith resigned on Thursday morning and apologised for the WhatsApp messages, contained in the Liberal party headquarters staff group chat, which were published by the Australian on Wednesday night.