Former FG Deputy George Lee has described his lack of contact with the party’s finance spokesperson Richard Bruton as ‘hurtful.’

Mr Lee announced his resignation from FG and from the Dail yesterday, citing a lack of influence in shaping party policy.

Party leader Enda Kenny is to meet with his front bench team this morning.

It’s a crucial meeting for Kenny whose future hinges on the backing he gets from senior party figures.

Mr Lee says he resigned because he was left out in the cold.

“I found that quite remarkable and quite surprising” he said.

“To tell you the truth I probably found it hurtful – after a short period of time when I began to realise the ‘cold shoulder’ elements of it”.

“I probably felt that I thought I was joining an organisation, but that I didn’t in the end join an organisation I joined a group of individuals who were very possessive about whatever it was that they were doing” he added.