Climbdown on GSOC inquiry

An embarrassing climbdown over the need for an independent inquiry into the GSOC bugging controversy was forced by growing Cabinet unease over Justice Minister Alan Shatter’s handling of the crisis.

It is understood Labour ministers voiced concerns at yesterday’s pre-Cabinet meeting at how information “kept tumbling out” over the past 10 days and criticised the overall handling of the issue, including Mr Shatter, who had “created issues where there were none”.

Labour sources said the frustrations were felt on both sides of the Cabinet table and both parties agreed to “find a process led by someone whom everyone could have faith in”.