Oh, how embarrassing. You’re in the middle of a furious, relationship- ending row, and suddenly the doorbell rings and you remember this is the night you invited the neighbours over for drinks.

Embattled Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore vowed to campaign for MEP Phil Prendergast — even though she does not think he is fit to be Labour leader.

Labour MEP Phil Prendergast has spoken of her shock at being spat at and called “Labour scum” in Cork City last week.