Simon Coveney camp insists he is ahead in leadership race

Housing Minister Simon Coveney holds a 14 to nine lead in terms of support from Fine Gael senators and MEPs in the race to succeed Enda Kenny, it was claimed yesterday.

Mr Coveney and his supporters have strongly rejected figures reported in recent days which suggested his rival Leo Varadkar enjoys the support of ten more Fine Gael TDs, senators, and MEPs with about half of the 73 eligible voters declared.

With both camps expected to formally launch their campaigns next Thursday in Dublin, the two men are claiming bragging rights as to who will win the parliamentary party contest.