Ahern says his leadership is safe despite FF backbench criticism

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday insisted his leadership of the Fianna Fáil was safe despite fresh allegations that he appointed Ray Burke amid warnings he was corrupt.

Party backbenchers are increasingly critical of Mr Ahern for his handling of the fallout from the Flood Tribunal while opinion polls show his popularity has slumped to a new low.

But at the launch yesterday of FF's campaign for a Yes vote in the Nice Treaty, Mr Ahern came out fighting and said he established the Flood Tribunal to investigate corruption allegations and had not heard any complaints about his leadership.