Backbenchers snub Cowen’s offer

THE Taoiseach was snubbed by a significant number of Fianna Fáil backbenchers who turned down his offer to meet with them to discuss his leadership.

A text message was sent out on Thursday evening urging those who doubted Brian Cowen to make contact with his private secretary and arrange an appointment to meet him.

But many had travelled to their constituencies around the country yesterday and chose to either speak to him by phone, wait until next week or ignore the invite altogether.