FG in meltdown

ENDA KENNY’S decision to sack Richard Bruton could trigger a wave of resignations or further expulsions from the Fine Gael frontbench today.

As Fine Gael descended into internecine warfare, Mr Bruton’s supporters claimed Mr Kenny had made a “fatal mistake” that would backfire and cost him his leadership.

Mr Bruton vowed to fight to oust Mr Kenny, who he said was no longer a credible alternative to Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

His supporters said that fight would begin at today’s frontbench meeting.

Speculation grew last night that members of the frontbench backing Mr Bruton would resign in order to undermine Mr Kenny’s leadership.

If they do not resign, but refuse to express confidence in Mr Kenny, he may have no other option but to sack them.

Mr Bruton will be unable to attend the meeting following Mr Kenny’s decision to remove him both from the frontbench and the deputy leader role.

The sacking was seen as a preemptive attempt by Mr Kenny to fend off the heave. He also implicitly threatened to cull other frontbench TDs plotting to overthrow him.

But at least seven of the 19 frontbench members are believed to firmly support Mr Bruton. Sources said that Brian Hayes, Olivia Mitchell, Olwyn Enright, Fergus O’Dowd, Michael Creed, Denis Naughten and Billy Timmins were all prepared to back Mr Bruton. But of those, only Mr O’Dowd publicly confirmed his support yesterday.

Another three frontbench TDs are believed to be “wavering” – but if they too throw their support behind Mr Bruton, it would likely make Mr Kenny’s position untenable.

One prominent frontbench TD, Simon Coveney, is understood to have travelled to Dublin last night after demanding a meeting with Mr Kenny.

The decision of Mr Coveney and other prominent frontbenchers could prove crucial in deciding the party leader’s fate.

Mr Kenny is insisting, however, that under Fine Gael rules, only the wider parliamentary party – all of its TDs, senators and MEPs – can actually remove him.

Mr Kenny has tabled a motion of confidence in his leadership to be debated at a meeting of the parliamentary party on Thursday, and his handlers last night claimed to have a “substantial majority” of the parliamentary party onside.

But today’s events may greatly influence whether he can survive.

The turmoil is set to overshadow completely today’s Dáil debate on the party’s motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach.

Fine Gael tabled the motion last week following the publication of two banking reports that indicted Mr Cowen’s stewardship of the economy.

But all the political heat will now be on Mr Kenny rather than Mr Cowen.

The Fine Gael leader said it was with regret that he had sacked Mr Bruton, his “great friend of 25 years”, but insisted he had been left with “no choice”.

Pointing out that he had supported Mr Bruton’s brother John in three heaves against his leadership of Fine Gael, Mr Kenny said: “I was that soldier… I know what it’s like to have internal conflict that yields such devastating results for any political party.”

Mr Kenny said he had not considered resigning. But Mr Bruton responded by claiming a “clear majority” of Fine Gael’s frontbench and parliamentary party wanted a change in leadership. “Fine Gael is not fulfilling (its) potential under Enda Kenny,” he said.