Cowen warned of Lenihan 'coup plot'

Taoiseach Brian Cowen was tonight warned of alleged attempts to overthrow him by a senior Cabinet minister as the countdown begins to the most feared Budget in living memory.

In a sensational claim, adding to the woes of the embattled premier as he faces into an unprecedented €4bn cost-cutting plan, it was claimed that Finance Minister Brian Lenihan was hatching a planned coup.