Eamon Gilmore vows to canvass for Phil Prendergast

Embattled Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore vowed to campaign for MEP Phil Prendergast — even though she does not think he is fit to be Labour leader.

The latest unusual twist in the party’s war of words emerged after the pair had “very frank” discussions following the Ireland South Euro MP’s decision to plunge the Labour election campaign into turmoil by calling for Mr Gilmore to be ousted as leader before voters go to the polls on May 23.

Ms Prendergast insisted that canvassing with the man she still insists should be replaced as leader did not make her a hypocrite.

“He is the leader of the party, that’s the reality and now we deal with realities. We’ve shaken on it, it is cordial,” she said as she insisted she stood over her calls for Mr Gilmore to be replaced by Joan Burton, the social protection minister.

The Tánaiste said he did not have a problem canvassing for the MEP, who has little chance of getting elected according to a recent poll.

“She’s the Labour Party candidate and, as far as I’m concerned, when the Labour Party selects a candidate, I stand with that candidate full square, and will continue to do so right up to polling day,” said Mr Gilmore.

The Tánaiste was speaking at a reception to welcome Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, to Dublin at an event that was originally intended to boost Labour’s Euro election campaign.

However, Ms Prendergast’s actions have caused widespread fury within Labour, even among those who would like to see Mr Gilmore stand down.

After plummeting to just 6% in an opinion poll, the party looks on course to fail to gain a seat in any of the three Irish constituencies on May 23.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte attempted to downplay the bitter row, saying: “We shouldn’t be derailed from the work of government just because there is an election on the way.”

One Labour critic of Mr Gilmore said they did not expect backbenchers to turn against the leader if the party fares as bad in the Euro and local elections as polls predict.

“I really don’t think there is going to be a mood for that,” the TD said.

Ms Burton insisted there was no leadership issue, but praised Ms Prendergast as a “person of substance”.

Ms Prendergast said she had been assured by Mr Gilmore that her campaign would not suffer as a result of her outspoken comments and that the party would continue to back her with resources “100%”.

Mr Gilmore met with Ms Prendergast at his office in Government Buildings before the attempted show of unity at the Euro campaign event intended to welcome the president of the European Parliament.