Bertie book explores life of teflon Taoiseach

CHARLES HAUGHEY’S infamous appraisal of his protégé’s abilities has served as both an asset and a liability to Bertie Ahern and now provides the title of a new book on the Taoiseach.

Most Skilful, Most Devious, Most Cunning: A Political Biography of Bertie Ahern, written by John Downing, charts his political career from modest beginnings in Drumcondra to the international stage.

Launched in Dublin last night by academic and broadcaster Professor Brian Farrell, to coincide with the forthcoming 10-year anniversary of Mr Ahern’s election as leader of Fianna Fáil, the unauthorised biography dwells upon the relationship between Mr Ahern and his patron, as well as examining a number of pertinent questions: