Pat Rabbitte: No need to leave politics ‘feet first’

Former Labour leader Pat Rabbitte has said he would have been obligated to contest the next general election if he was not dumped out of cabinet by Tánaiste Joan Burton.

However, the Dublin South West TD said his decision not to run was not a de-facto swipe at Ms Burton for the controversial summer 2014 demotion.

At a preliminary party meeting on Monday evening before Labour’s formal candidate selection convention for the constituency later this month, Mr Rabbitte confirmed he will bow out of politics after the upcoming general election.