Cullen: Colleagues avoided me during controversy

MARTIN CULLEN has told how political colleagues – with the exception of Mary Harney and Bertie Ahern – largely avoided him when the media coverage about the Monica Leech issue was at its height.

“When you’re under the gun, so to speak, of an assault where you know that it is an untruth, you’re on your own,” he said.

The Arts, Sport and Tourism Minister was discussing the unfounded allegations that he had an affair with communications consultant Ms Leech, allegations which made their way into certain media coverage in 2004.