English: FG leadership review a matter of course if election goes badly

Fine Gael TD Damien English has denied actively supporting a leadership challenge should Fine Gael fail to become part of the next Government.

Reports this morning claimed the Meath TD had backed comments made by his Waterford colleague John Deasy yesterday.

Mr Deasy said Enda Kenny should face a leadership contest if he fails to lead the party into power at this year's election.

In an interview on RTE's Morning Ireland today, Mr English said he was simply supporting Mr Deasy's right to make such comments.

He said he fully supported the current leader, but Fine Gael rules meant the leadership would have to be reviewed if the party lost the upcoming election.

"I clearly said yesterday that I hope we are successful, I think we have a great chance of being successful and that Enda Kenny is doing an excellent job," he said.

"Hopefully, we will be successful and this won't be an issue at all."