Way clear for McDowell as Parlon and O’Donnell drop out

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is likely to confirmed as the new leader of the Progressive Democrats after his two main rivals dropped out of the leadershiop race.

After almost three days of speculation, the PDs said Mr McDowell would be nominated to lead the party into next year’s general election by Minister of State Tom Parlon. The nomination is to be seconded by the party’s chief whip Liz O’Donnell TD.