Fine Gael backbencher: Return of Frank Flannery is last thing party needs

A Fine Gael backbencher and member of an influential internal party group has insisted Frank Flannery should not return until the Rehab controversy is addressed.

Kildare North TD Anthony Lawlor said the rumoured return of the controversial figure is the “last thing” Fine Gael needs, despite the party’s deputy leader James Reilly saying that he would “welcome” Mr Flannery back to the fold.

Mr Flannery was forced to resign as Fine Gael’s director of elections last March due to his links to the Rehab disability charity scandal.