Although Kiyomori took a neutral position when FUJIWARA no Shinzei (Michinori) fell into conflict with FUJIWARA no Nobuyori and the sect supporting direct Imperial rule by Emperor Nijo, in the Heiji Disturbance in 1159, he purged the anti-Shinzei sect, including FUJIWARA no Nobuyori, FUJIWARA no Tsunemune, and FUJIWARA no Korekata, that had seized political control, and this allowed him to dramatically raise his political position.
藤原信西（通憲）と藤原信頼・二条親政派の対立では中立的立場をとっていたが、平治元年（1159年）の平治の乱で政権を握った藤原信頼・藤原経宗・藤原惟方などの反信西派を一掃することで、急速にその政治的地位を高めることになる。