Former prime minister Scott Morrison says he acted on expert Australian and American legal advice when arranging to swear himself in secretly as minister for several key federal portfolios.

It has emerged that Mr Morrison secretly swore himself in as health minister and finance minister during the COVID pandemic, possibly as a precaution against the existing ministers being incapacitated by the virus.

But it has also emerged that the then prime minister secretly swore himself in as resources minister and – in a bid to save government seats at the May 2022 election – used the additional power to override the existing minister on a decision on proposals to drill for gas off the NSW coast.

Mr Morrison has appeared today with his legal adviser, Dennis Denuto, (main picture) to defend his actions.

“Everything I did was legal,” Mr Morrison said. “I sought advice from Dennis who told me it was all hunky dory.”

Mr Morrison then invited Mr Denuto to outline the legal details and precedents he relied upon to advise Mr Morrison on his secret assumption of ministerial roles.

“It’s the vibe of the thing,” Mr Denuto explained. “In summing up, it’s the Constitution. It’s Mabo. It’s justice. It’s law. It’s the vibe…… ummm. No, that’s it, it’s the vibe. I rest my case.”

Mr Morrison added that he had not relied solely on Mr Denuto’s advice.

“I also consulted an international legal expert resident in the United States,” he said.

“It was respected academic, now retired Dean Vernon Wormer, (pictured) who advised me to be sworn in secretly.

“In fact he urged me to make it a double secret swearing-in, which I did.

“People in the Labor Party and indeed even in the my own former coalition government may quibble about my actions, but I ultimately answer to a higher authority.”

When reporters asked if Mr Morrison was referring to the Australian people he replied: “No. I ultimately answer to our Lord and Saviour…..”

At that point Mr Morrison stood, raised his right hand to the sky, closed his eyes, and began speaking in tongues as reporters drifted from the room as did Mr Denuto, who stopped briefly to closely examine a photocopier.