Cowen’s links with FitzPatrick under fire

BRIAN COWEN’S honesty was called into question by the opposition last night as the Taoiseach became embroiled in a growing political storm over his dealings with disgraced Anglo chief Sean FitzPatrick in the lead-up to the €34 billion bailout of the bank.

Revelations that Mr Cowen had a previously undisclosed golfing day out and dinner with then Anglo chairman Mr FitzPatrick in July 2008 after becoming Taoiseach provoked uproar.

Mr Cowen had never mentioned the contact, nor a phone call from Mr FitzPatrick while finance minister that March, despite repeated demands from the opposition over the last two years to reveal the extent of his associations with Anglo.