Cowen's confidence grows as Lenihan support reportedly secured

An Taoiseach Brian Cowen will go toe-to-toe today with rebel ministers in the fight for leadership of Fianna Fáil, after reports that Finance Minister Brian Lenihan will back the Taoiseach.

The Irish Examiner says today that Mr Lenihan is expected to make his announcement of support after today’s cabinet meeting and before TDs cast a secret ballot on the motion of confidence, and that his move is likely to convince a bloc of his allies to do likewise.