Cowen bids to keep rebels in line

BRIAN Cowen’s future hung in the balance last night as he decided whether he had enough support to survive as Taoiseach while the threat of rebellion continued to grip Fianna Fáil.

A day of frenzied political activity saw FF ministers divide sharply over the desirability of Mr Cowen remaining in power as the Taoiseach battled to keep backbenchers in line.

Tourism Minister and contender for the top job Mary Hanafin warned of ‘unease’ in the party over Mr Cowen’s continued leadership, while junior minister Conor Lenihan said there was an appetite for change at the head of the party as he called for those in the frame to replace the Taoiseach, like his brother Brian Lenihan, to show their hand.