An inquiry hears that rumours and a dispute over money contribute to a breakdown in a close friendship between founders at the heart of a Liberal Party faction. According to reporting on the evidence, the split is linked to concerns about possible conduct that could attract scrutiny similar to an ICAC-style investigation. The sources describe how disagreements escalated amid claims and counterclaims, alongside worries about how the matter could be perceived publicly. The West Australian and PerthNow both frame the collapse as occurring within the faction’s founding circle and being driven by both interpersonal tension and questions about financial dealings. While the accounts focus on the internal dynamics and alleged concerns, they do not provide further public detail in the excerpts about the specific dispute or the parties involved. The inquiry’s evidence is presented as explaining the circumstances surrounding how the friendship, described as central to the faction, came to an end amid rumours, financial disagreements, and fear of conduct being investigated.