Victorian premier rejects 'baseless' allegations government conspired to sack top cops

Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has rejected claims she and police minister Anthony Carbines plotted the sacking of the state's two top cops, after Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog was asked to investigate alleged interference.

Ousted deputy commissioner Neil Paterson has engaged the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) to investigate the lead up to his departure and that of former chief commissioner Shane Patton.

Paterson alleges the government had improper influence on the two terminations and claims they were planning Patton's replacement, Rick Nugent's arrival ahead of time.

READ MORE: Former federal politician Christopher Pyne undergoes heart bypass surgery

Allan strongly refuted the accusations, calling them "absolutely baseless allegations".

"I want to be really clear, these reports, they're completely untrue," Allan said.

"It is quite disappointing, really disappointing that there are some people who are choosing to politicise IBAC.

"My focus is on supporting the hard work of the men and women of Victoria Police ...and backing that in with the tough new bail laws that I want to see passed through the parliament this week."

Nugent categorically denied Paterson's allegations.

"There was absolutely no discussion between myself and government about me stepping into the Acting Chief Commissioner role prior to the weekend of 15-16 February," Nugent said in a statement.

"This was after the vote of no confidence result on 14 February.

READ MORE: Israeli PM says airstrikes across Gaza that killed at least 413 are 'only the beginning'

"There was no condition Deputy Commissioner Paterson be removed for me to return to Victoria Police.

"I look forward to assisting IBAC and the Ombudsman to resolve this matter."

It will be up to IBAC to decide whether it investigates further, but Paterson told 9News he expects the anti-corruption body to do so.

"I believe there is more than adequate evidence to support the complaint," he said.

Liberal leader Brad Battin said it was "another day, another corruption allegation here in Victoria with the Allan Labor government".

"It's not the first time. This government has had more IBAC investigations than i've probably had breakfasts in the last 12 months."

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.