Cowen forced to defend leadership

BRIAN COWEN was forced to defend his leadership once again last night, insisting he would not just “walk away” from his party following criticism at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting.

Kildare South TD Sean Power confronted the Taoiseach on whether he was the best person to lead Fianna Fáil.

The party was discussing funding and selection conventions for the next general election, which parliamentary party members were told will take place in 2012.