Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny dramatically fired his deputy, Richard Bruton, on Monday following a challenge to his leadership.
Mr. Kenny revealed he met with Richard Bruton and was informed by Mr. Bruton that he no longer had faith in his stewardship of Fine Gael and would be challenging him at a parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday June 15th.
Speaking on Monday, Mr. Kenny said that was unacceptable and he has immediately removed Richard Bruton from his Finance portfolio and as deputy leader of Fine Gael.
Political Fight
Enda Kenny moved immediately to protect his position as leader saying he was placing a motion of confidence in his leadership before his parliamentary party and it will be discussed on Thursday June 17th.
However reacting Richard Bruton said he would campaign against the motion of confidence in Mr. Kenny and would be offering himself as an alternative leader if Mr. Kenny fails to get the confidence of the party. Mr Bruton said he believes Mr Kenny will fail.
Deputy Bruton said he was not acting solely off the back of an opinion poll which put Fine Gael in second place in popularity behind Labour. He said he had doubts about Mr. Kenny for some time.
Parliamentary Party
Mr. Kenny is set to put a motion of no-confidence down on the Taoiseach in the Dail on Tuesday June 14th but how his parliamentary party decides to vote on the internal struggle is now much more important.
A leadership contest could be won by Kenny but he has already warned that the whispering of a few has caused great damage to his party and he will be making further frontbench changes next week.
Taking Sides
Dr James Reilly, Fine Gael health spokesperson, said he had been contacted by Mr Bruton over the weekend and they had a private conversation.
However Dr. Reilly called on Mr. Bruton to come back from the brink saying he believed the party would be damaged if he made a bid and he believed Enda Kenny will win out. He later maintained that opinion.
However Transport spokesperson, Fergus O’Dowd, has openly backed Mr. Bruton’s move.
AUDIO
Newstalk anchor and former Fine Gael Cabinet Minister, Ivan Yates, speaks to Claire Byrne about the inside story of the heave…
Dr. James Reilly tells Claire Byrne he has been contacted by Richard Bruton
