'She chose a bum': Dutton leaps to Berejiklian's defence amid scathing ICAC findings

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian "is a wonderful person" and "should hold her head high" despite the damning findings handed down in yesterday's ICAC report, federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says.

Speaking this morning on Today, Dutton was adamant Berejiklian was "not a corrupt person", claiming she had already paid "a big price" for her actions.

"The Gladys I know is somebody who is absolutely a wonderful person," he said.

EXPLAINED: IBAC's findings on former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian

"She's first-class, and what you see in public is what you get in private as well.

"She's just a very decent person.

"She chose a bum, basically, and he was a bad guy, I think that she has paid a big price for that."

READ MORE: Key updates and reaction as ICAC hands down findings on Berejiklian

The former premier found herself in a "bad relationship" but is "not corrupt", Dutton added.

"Integrity is not in question," he said.

"She's not a corrupt person - that's not the person that I know, and I think she should hold her head high.

"She had a bad relationship, as everybody does, and I hope that that's not the defining moment for her because she's a much better person and we all know that."

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