Lenihan denies he is plotting a heave against Cowen

BRIAN LENIHAN insisted he was not plotting any heave against Taoiseach Brian Cowen and that backbenchers had not approached him about taking over the leadership of Fianna Fáil.

The finance minister said Brian Cowen will lead Fianna Fáil into the next general election, playing down speculation that party troops wanted him to take on the job.

At the start of the party’s annual ‘think-in’, Brian Cowen hit back at critics, saying substance is more important than style and that he is doing what is best for the country.