Sherlock comment was reactionary, says Prendergast

MEP Phil Prendergast has denied that her call for Eamon Gilmore to resign as Labour leader was an "act of desperation" and described as "reactionary" a comment by her colleague Seán Sherlock that she can not be taken seriously as a candidate.

Ms Prendergast, who was on 4% in an opinion poll published last weekend on the Ireland South European Parliament constituency, said yesterday she was “not a bit concerned” about that poll or reports alleging that some Labour candidates have washed their hands of her.

Mr Sherlock also said the Labour MEP’s remarks on the party leadership were “ill-timed and silly”.