The Opposition Leader is defending his choice not to publicise AFP concerns that former Nationals MP George Christensen was at risk of blackmail.

A 2018 letter to then-home affairs minister Peter Dutton, obtained under freedom of information laws, shows federal police believed Mr Christensen’s travel was a security risk.

A probe into his frequent trips to south-east Asia found Mr Christensen “engaged in activities that could potentially place him at risk of being targeted for compromise by foreign interests”.

There were no allegations of criminal conduct in the letter but it alleged the maverick MP engaged “in improper conduct overseas potentially in contravention of Australian law”.

Mr Christensen spent 294 days in the Philippines over four years from 2014-2018, leading to him being dubbed the “Member for Manila” by some of his colleagues.

“I received confidential briefings in relation to very sensitive matters, in relation to members of parliament,” Peter Dutton told Ray Hadley.

“I’ve never broken the confidence of that relationship with the commissioners I’ve dealt with and I won’t.

“I wouldn’t expect the Home Affairs Minister today to do that either.”

Press PLAY below to hear Peter Dutton’s response in full