Asyraf, who had attended the 11.30am meeting, said no such discussions took place.

The Astro Awani report, which was based on a source, was “irresponsible and unethical”, he said.

“It should have quoted a legitimate source and not just some unverified inside source that led to negative perceptions,” he said in a Facebook post.

According to the report, a majority of the divisional leaders were against a proposal for Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also an Umno vice-president, to intervene in Najib’s appeal.

Asyraf went on to question the need for getting the prime minister to intervene in the SRC case which is being heard at the Federal Court.

“It’s not like the prime minister appointed the current bench,” he said in a Facebook post.

Asyraf went on to say that the meeting in the morning was about the general election.

He then advised Astro Awani to report responsibly.

Najib was charged with abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust over SRC funds amounting to RM42 million.

He was convicted in July 2020 on all charges and sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million.

The Federal Court will continue hearing the appeal tomorrow.