Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney play down leadership hype

The two favourites to succeed Enda Kenny have played down a leadership battle as the Taoiseach faces mounting pressure to state when he will step down.

Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar yesterday insisted there is “no vacancy at the moment” after a poll revealed he is favourite to take over from Mr Kenny.

Speaking in Brussels, Housing Minister Simon Coveney said “there isn’t a leadership contest in Fine Gael right now, there isn’t going to be any time soon”.