Credlin slams affair rumours as 'bile'

Peta Credlin has hit back at suggestions she had an affair with her boss, former prime minister Tony Abbott, labelling them "bile".

A new book from journalist Niki Savva released on Monday claims colleagues suspected an affair between Mr Abbott and his chief of staff, Ms Credlin.

Ms Credlin slammed the claims in The Road to Ruin as "completely false, utterly untrue, unfounded and wrong" in The Australian on Tuesday.

Writing in the newspaper, Ms Credlin says she's long been a victim of attacks from Ms Savva despite barely knowing her.

She hopes the attack doesn't dissuade smart women from a career in politics.

"I know I am not the first woman to face offensive and false rumours about the nature of her professional relationships but, sadly, I doubt I will be the last.

"I've never claimed that I got it right every time, but you don't survive 16 years in one of the toughest working environments around if you're not up to the job or don't have a good reputation."