Rupert Murdoch has urged Prime Minister Tony Abbott to sack his polarising chief of staff Peta Credlin, after a series of blunders and Cabinet leaks that have sent the Coalition into a freefall in the opinion polls.

The influential conservative media mogul made the comments via Twitter on Wednesday, as the fallout from Mr Abbott’s “captain’s pick” to award a knighthood to Prince Philip continued.

After saying he would cop any criticism of the decision “on the chin”, Mr Abbott deflected questions about his chief of staff’s involvement in the decision during a press conference on Wednesday.

He added that he had “learned his lesson” and committed to consulting more broadly with his parliamentary colleagues in the future.

Mr Murdoch called for Peta Credlin’s resignation soon after the press conference.

Abbott again. Tough to write, but if he won’t replace top aide Peta Credlin she must do her patriotic duty and resign. More

— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 28, 2015

• Why the PM’s Peta problem is not going away
• Why Nick Xenophon is the most powerful man in Australia
• A three-point plan to get Abbott back on track

Forget fairness. This change only way to recover team work and achieve so much possible for Australia. Leading involves cruel choices.

— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 28, 2015

Credlin a good person. Just appealing to her proven patriotism.

— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 28, 2015

Education Minister Christopher Pyne defended Ms Credlin on Wednesday afternoon, saying the Coalition couldn’t have won government in 2013 without her.

“I support (Ms Credlin) and I don’t think there is any prospect of the government following Rupert Murdoch’s suggestion.

Mr Abbott’s trip to the Middle East while bushfires raged in South Australia, an inability to attain support for key reforms, and leaks revealing the details of confidential cabinet discussions and conflict with his ministerial team have created difficulties in recent months for the embattled PM.

Ms Credlin – the prime minister’s top political advisor – was touted as a potential Senate candidate for the Liberal Party late last year, but released a statement saying she wasn’t interested in a parliamentary tilt “at this time”.

She has served as Tony Abbott’s advisor since 2009 after working for previous Liberal Party leaders Malcolm Turnbull and Brendan Nelson.