Prime Minister Scott Morrison is being questioned further about the diplomatic rift with France, after the French ambassador told the National Press Club in Canberra that Australia’s actions amounted to a “stab in the back”.

The Prime Minister would dearly like to put the dispute behind him, telling reporters several times: “It’s important now that we all just move on, frankly.”

He was asked directly several times how world leaders can trust him after the leak of a text message French President Emmanuel Macron sent him, and whether that leak had made matters worse.

“I have outstanding relationships with so many leaders around the world,” Mr Morrison said.

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Mr Macron reportedly sent a message asking: “Should I expect good or bad news for our joint submarines ambitions?”

It was sent two days before Australia announced it was dumping the French contract and formed the AUKUS partnership to get nuclear submarine technology from the US and UK.

This week, the President told Australian reporters that “I don’t think, I know” Mr Morrison had lied over the status of the submarine deal.

Asked whether that was what prompted the leak, Mr Morrison said: “Claims have been made and those claims were refuted ... What is needed now is for us all to just get on with it.”