Messages from Macron to Morrison leaked amid submarine deal row

FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in front of the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, June 15, 2021. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian media on Tuesday published messages between French President Emmanuel Macron and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, as Canberra seeks to push back against allegations it lied to Paris about a multibillion-dollar submarine contract.

Australia in September cancelled a deal with France's Naval Group, opting instead to build at least 12 nuclear-powered submarines after striking a deal with the United States and Britain.