O'Sullivan still standing by Norris

One of the politicians supporting David Norris' bid for the presidency has said he has been the target of a nasty campaign.

Independent TD Maureen O'Sullivan has said Senator Norris still has her support, despite revealations about a letter he wrote to an Israeli court in 1997, seeking clemency for his former partner, who had been convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old boy.

Key members of his campaign team have stepped down over the controversy.

Senator Norris has vowed to continue in the presidential race, but has admitted that his campaign is in "serious trouble".

But this morning, Deputy O'Sullivan says she is standing by him.