Brian Crowley urged to resign by European Parliament substitute

MEP Brian Crowley has been urged to resign after four years of absence from the European parliament because of the “damage” to Ireland’s interests and because of the UK’s imminent exit from the EU.

The Fianna Fáil substitute for Mr Crowley for the parliament has written a critical letter to the sick MEP calling on him to quit to “maintain the seat” and “regain the confidence of the electorate”.

Kieran Hartley’s letter was sent to Mr Crowley last week and is the latest call for Ireland’s longest-serving MEP to step aside.