Leo Varadkar camp defy calls to defect

Leo Varadkar’s supporters are defying overtures from Simon Coveney’s camp to change their position with one TD declaring he would not “commit political suicide” and reverse his stance.

A number of Fine Gael TDs who have pledged to vote for Mr Varadkar as the next Fine Gael leader have received emails and calls asking them to instead back Mr Coveney.

Some parliamentary members, who face pressure to ‘walk back’ on their support for Mr Varadkar, said they would not budge on their decision, despite claims from Mr Coveney’s strategists that there are a number of crucial votes which can be turned.