Childers quits to pile pressure on Gilmore

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore suffered a fresh blow as an MEP quit the party and accused him of seeking to “hurt people”.

The walk-out by Ireland East European MP Nessa Childers adds to the pressure following Labour’s humiliating fifth place in the Meath East by-election.

Ms Childers urged colleagues to follow her example and rebel, as she believes the party has taken the wrong direction in Government.