Crowley faces Fianna Fáil expulsion for EU switch

Fianna Fáil will discuss expelling poll-topping MEP Brian Crowley from the party when they meet today after his decision to join the Eurosceptic group led by British Tory members.

Reacting furiously, party chairman Brendan Smith said Mr Crowley was aligning himself to policies and political parties that directly contradicted core principles of Fianna Fáil.

“These include the group’s Eurosceptic stance and its position on membership of the eurozone,” said a statement from Mr Smith and the party’s whip Seán Ó Fearghaíl. “Indeed, a number of the parties in this right-wing grouping stand in direct opposition to Fianna Fáil’s republican ethos and tradition.”