Minister 'threatened with butter knife' in ugly confrontation

An investigation has been launched into claims a senior Labor MP threatened an Andrews government minister with a butter knife during a heated argument in a parliamentary dining room.

The altercation between party powerbroker Adem Somyurek and Sport Minister John Eren took place last night.

Mr Eren confirmed the incident during Question Time this morning.

"It would be totally inappropriate for me to make any comments in relation to that investigation,” Mr Erin said.

Mr Eren alleges his Labor colleague held up a butter knife in a way that made him feel unsafe.

The Lara MP refuted opposition insinuations that he'd been drinking.

"I absolutely refuse the allegations that have been made by the Leader of the Opposition", he said.

In a statement to 9NEWS, Mr Somyurek denied holding a knife or making threats.

"I made a comment to Mr Eren in the bar about internal party matters and returned to the dining room where I was having dinner with colleagues, including the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming & Liquor and Local Government", he said.

"I proceeded to return to the dining room for dinner. I was surprised when Mr Eren followed me into the dining room, clearly agitated.

"I was seated when Mr Eren approached and stood on the other side of the table, opposite me. We then had a robust exchange in our native tongue, which was a brief conversation.

"At no point was I holding a butter knife. At no time did I threaten anyone".

Mr Somyurek has been working to engineer a significant realignment of Labor's factions, which has caused a degree of angst amongst some MPs.

The public rift is an unwanted and unnecessary distraction for the Andrews government, just nine months out from the state election.