Sky News political reporter Laura Jayes tweeted on Thursday afternoon that in a meeting with Mr Moraitis, the department secretary, on February 3, Professor Triggs asked if "anything could be done" for her and that a role in the "international law arena was suggested".

The tweet was then amended to say that the suggestion had come from "government sources". This claim was then repeated on David Speers' PM Agenda show on Sky.

Responding to Fairfax Media on Thursday night, Professor Triggs said she stood by her evidence given at a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday, where she said Mr Moraitis had asked for her resignation, conveying the message that the Attorney-General had lost confidence in her and offering her a different role within the government.

"Australian Human Rights Commission president Professor Gillian Triggs categorically denies any suggestion that the issue of a job offer and resignation came at her instigation," the statement in response to the tweets said.

"Professor Triggs stands by her evidence given at Senate estimates this week."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott used Question Time on Thursday to again deny that the government had ever sought Professor Triggs' resignation or offered her an inducement.

However, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop confirmed that a role in international law was raised in a meeting between Professor Triggs and Mr Moraitis.

"There was no request for her to resign and there was no inducement offered," Ms Bishop said. "A role was raised [in that meeting] that related to international affairs."

There is mounting backbench disquiet over Mr Abbott's handling of the Triggs affair, with many feeling the Prime Minister has mishandled the politics of the commission's report on asylum seeker children in detention.