Lenihan denies misleading FF backbenchers about heave

The Finance Minister Brian Lenihan is denying he misled any backbenchers into believing he would oust Brian Cowen as Fianna Fáil leader.

Mr Lenihan has become the latest member of the Cabinet to support the Taoiseach meaning Mr Cowen now looks set to win a motion of confidence in him this evening.

At the moment the Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin is the only member of Cabinet publicly opposing the Taoiseach.

Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin is the only minister still to make her position clear.

Mr Lenihan said he never led anyone to believe he would mount a heave against the leader of Fianna Fáil.