French told in message

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison says he never spoke to the French president before announcing he was scrapping a submarine deal the nations had planned.

Mr Morrison said on Friday he tried to phone Emmanuel Macron the night before the news was announced publicly.

But the call went unanswered, and he instead opted for a “message” to Mr Macron, he told reporters in Washington.

Mr Morrison was responding to a question about when he called Mr Macron.

The PM has previously said he contacted the French president the night before the AUKUS submarine deal was announced.

The partnership with the UK and US caused a diplomatic rift with the French because it meant Australia would cancel a deal with that nation that was already in the works.

“What I said was, is that I made direct contact with him,” Mr Morrison said on Friday.

“It was about 8.35. We had sought to have a call that night.

“He did not take that call . . . and so I directly messaged him Australia’s decision.”

France has recalled its ambassador, and Mr Morrison has previously admitted Mr Macron will not accept his calls since the announcement.