Embattled Department of Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo has been sacked following an inquiry into his text messages to a Liberal powerbroker.

Pezzullo was stood down on his full pay of almost $915,000 two months ago, while the Public Service Commissioner investigated his leaked texts.

The leaked messages revealed Pezzullo used a political back channel to two former Liberal prime ministers through powerbroker Scott Briggs to wield influence.

It included suggesting ministerial sackings and which MP should become minister of his department.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed his sacking on Monday.

“Earlier today the Governor-General in council terminated the appointment of Michael Pezzullo as secretary of the Department of Home Affairs,” he said.

“This action was based on a recommendation to me by the secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australian Public Service Commissioner, following an independent inquiry by Lynelle Briggs.

“That inquiry found breaches of the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct by Mr Pezzullo. Mr Pezzullo fully cooperated with the inquiry.”

Albanese said Stephanie Foster, who was been acting Home Affairs secretary since Pezzullo was stood down, would continue in that role until a permanent appointment was made.

The leaked texts showed Pezzullo suggested now Opposition Leader Peter Dutton should become home affairs minister the night before Scott Morrison took the prime ministership from Malcolm Turnbull in 2018.

According to the messages, he suggested the Liberals sack former defence minister Christopher Pyne, labelled another former defence minister, Marise Payne, “completely ineffectual” and “a problem”, and said he “almost had a heart attack” when Julie Bishop was linked with a tilt at the prime ministership in 2018.

Others show Briggs directly asking if Pezzullo had any messages he wanted him to convey before a dinner with Morrison and Turnbull.

Under public service policy, political affiliations and activities are considered possible conflicts of interest.

There was no suggestion that Pezzullo’s messages showed corrupt or illegal conduct. But public integrity advocates had alleged he overstepped the impartial nature required of a government department head.

Pezzullo was the first person appointed to head the Home Affairs Department when it was created in 2017.