McDowell ensures bloodless transition

THE deal, when it happened yesterday afternoon, was completed very quickly. Michael McDowell made two phone calls, one to Tom Parlon, the other to Liz O’Donnell. As soon as the second call ended, it was over.

The Justice Minister was in the driving seat and had been since Friday morning when the numbers were stacked up and the arithmetic said only one thing — he was unstoppable.

Mr McDowell didn’t need to make any deal. He knew if one of the other candidates stood, the only question would be the size of the margin — at the very worst, it would be a thumping victory; at the very best a complete shut-out.