Gormley insists Greens are united after leadership vote

New Green Party leader John Gormley is insisting that the party is unified following a stronger-than-expected challenge from Patricia McKenna.

The Minister for the Environment was confirmed as leader yesterday after winning 64% of votes in a ballot of party members.

Mr Gormley was always expected to win the vote, but Ms McKenna, who opposes the Greens' decision to go into government with Fianna Fáil, secured more votes than anyone expected.

Despite this, Mr Gormley says there was no acrimony in the leadership campaign and the Greens could "go forward as a unified party".

He also said the decision to go into coalition with Fianna Fáil had triggered a boost in Green Party membership and hinted that councillors from other parties may be about to defect to the Greens.