John Perry could yet be added to FG ticket, says Tom Curran

Fine Gael general secretary Tom Curran says the option of adding TD John Perry as a third candidate for the general election in Sligo-Leitrim is “still in play”.

Mr Curran told the High Court, on the fifth day of Mr Perry’s action yesterday seeking a new selection convention to be held, that with FG’s standing up to 32% in the polls, it is “possible for the party to look again at this”.

Mr Perry says in his action against Fine Gael that the convention result of last October should be set aside because of serious irregularities in how it was run.

Mr Curran said that, at the time of the convention last October, the party was at 28% in the polls but it was normal practice to look again and as a result of research decide to add candidates based on what happens in national polls.

Regardless of the outcome of Mr Perry’s case, he would recommend to the party’s executive council to look at the case again to see “can we justify everybody’s desires at same time as protecting the need to win two seats by having a third candidate”.

Mr Justice Paul Gilligan said since this case began last week, Mr Curran had every opportunity to consider such an approach or could have invited Mr Perry to make a complaint directly to the executive council which would make such a decision.

Mr Curran agreed when the judge said it was still a possibility Mr Perry would be added to the ticket because all the candidates had not been ratified yet.

Earlier, Mr Curran said that, at a meeting to discuss electoral strategy with Mr Perry last June, Mr Perry was asked what would happen if he was not selected at convention. He replied: “John Perry goes Independent,” said Mr Curran.

Whatever the outcome of this court case, he said that the party will be examining its rules so that candidates cannot “opt out” of supporting the volunteers who work on the night of selection conventions.

The case continues.