Kenny avoids showdown ahead of 'major reshuffle'

Enda Kenny has avoided a showdown with his front bench today by ending the meeting just minutes after it started.

The Fine Gael leader told the shadow cabinet that he would be reshuffling them next Monday, after he receives the backing of the parliamentary party on Thursday.

It had been expected that Deputy Kenny would demand the backing of each member of his front bench.

However, it is understood that after it became clear that the Bruton camp was in the majority, they decided they would not resign and put it up to Enda Kenny.

Kenny then told them it would be the last of the current front bench as he would be implementing a "major reshuffle" next week.

Mr Kenny told the gathering that every one of the 70 members of the PP would have a say at a special meeting on Thursday morning and that was the place to decide the issue of the leadership.

Kenny then abruptly left the meeting with his supporters.

It is understood that the Bruton camp are now having another strategy meeting, their second of today, to decide how to respond to Kenny's move.

Addressing the media at Leinster House after the meeting, the party's Spokesperson on Immigration and Integration Denis Naughten said the majority of the frontbench wanted Kenny to withdraw the motion of confidence he has tabled in himself this Thursday, and then step down as leader in the interest of the party.