ABC staff have demanded an independent investigation into “disturbing” allegations chairman Justin Milne urged ousted managing director Michelle Guthrie to “get rid of” a high-profile journalist disliked by the Coalition government.

Hundreds of staff met at the ABC’s head office in Sydney from 1pm and agreed unanimously to call for Mr Milne to step down while an investigation is held.

“It’s very rare for ABC journalists to call an open staff meeting during their lunch breaks at very short notice,” MEAA spokesman Mark Phillips told The New Daily.

“Staff are very concerned by the disturbing reports of their chairman’s email to Michelle Guthrie urging her to sack a staff member.”

ABC staff in Brisbane demanded Mr Milne “immediately resign” if allegations of political interference were true.

Fairfax Media reported earlier on Wednesday that Mr Milne emailed Ms Guthrie, urging the sacking of chief economics correspondent Emma Alberici because she was disliked by the Coalition government.

“We are tarred with her brush. I think it’s simple. Get rid of her. We need to save the ABC — not Emma. There is no guarantee [the Coalition] will lose the next election,” the report quoted the email as saying.

Alberici has suggested Mr Milne had a conflict of interest because the article on corporate tax cuts that prompted his complaint was critical of Australian company MYOB – where Mr Milne is also chairman.

Former ABC chair and managing director David Hill said Mr Milne “has to go”, saying he had “never heard anything like” the  “deeply disturbing” allegations against the current chairman.

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“[Mr Milne is] saying that, to relieve political pressure from Canberra, the managing director should sack one of its senior journalists. I’ve never heard anything like it,” Mr Hill told the ABC.

“Sadly, I think [he has] got to consider his position and I think he has to go. It’s not the board’s role or the chairman’s role to decide on hiring or firing of staff. That’s a matter for management.”

Mr Milne has returned fire, appearing to insist he has no intention of quitting.

“The job of the ABC board is to independently govern the corporation, protect its best interests, ensure that it is well funded, well managed and that our content is of the highest standards. That is precisely what the board has done and will continue to do,” he said in a statement.

“I do not propose to provide a running commentary on day to day issues which arise in pursuit of our duties.”

The ABC chairman is appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister, which means it would be difficult to remove him.

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In a doorstop conference at 1pm on Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison noted that the leaked email had not been verified. But he said the ABC should behave in a “professional” and “unbiased” manner.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield denied any political interference in the sacking of Ms Guthrie, who was removed by the board on Monday, and in editorial matters.

“From time to time, I have raised factual errors in ABC reporting, but have always respected the legislated operational and editorial independence of the ABC,” Mr Fifield said.

“I have never involved myself in staffing matters, nor am I aware of any member of the government who has sought to do so.”

Ms Guthrie has since threatened legal action after being sensationally sacked on Monday.

Shadow Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said she believed a full explanation was required.

“I think there should be an explanation of whether or not the requirements of the ABC Act, in relation to the duties of the board to maintain the independence and integrity of the ABC, whether they have been compromised,” Ms Rowland told the ABC earlier on Wednesday.