Expulsion of Fine Gael TDs ‘like a death in the family’

The expulsion of anti-abortion TDs from Fine Gael has been compared to a death in the family by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar.

As the party braced itself for a further rebellion over the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill next week, Mr Varadkar expressed sorrow over the widening division.

“It’s always hard to lose colleagues and it’s almost like losing a member of the family to see somebody lose the whip. But ultimately that was their decision and we have to respect that,” the Cabinet minister said.