Fine Gael’s deputy leader has admitted he’d like to lead Fine Gael, but says he remains ‘absolutely loyal’ to Enda Kenny.

Richard Bruton was speaking to Breakfast on Newstalk ahead of the party’s parliamentary meeting later today.

The party’s front bench yesterday threw its support behind Deputy Kenny following the resignation of George Lee earlier this week.

Deputy Bruton insists Enda Kenny handled the situation well.

“What is clear Fine Gael has moved on from this – it was very disappointing to loose George Lee, I think a lot of people feel let down” he said.

“The truth is that Enda Kenny is leader of Fine Gael, he handled this situation very honourably in my view” he added.

And Newstalk can reveal that the picture of Richard Bruton that has been causing controversy in many of today’s papers was down to research he was doing for the Moncrieff show.

The picture depicts Deputy Bruton studying nominees for rear of the year.

He was in fact preparing for a slot on the Moncrieff show yesterday afternoon.