Flanagan: Mitchell's presidency chances 'not doomed'

The Chairman of Fine Gael's Parliamentary Party is refuting claims that some members of the party believe Gay Mitchell's chances for the Presidency are "doomed".

Charlie Flanagan was responding to reports in today's Irish Independent, which allege that many Fine Gael insiders have already lost all hope in Mr Mitchell becoming the next president.

Latest opinion polls show he is flagging in support and languishing in the bottom three.

Many political analysts have argued in recent days that his attack on Martin McGuinness' background may not have gone down well with the electorate.

But Mr Flanagan thinks that is not the case.

Mr Flanagan said: "We face challenging times as a country. Gay Mitchell is a political activist who never backs down from a challenge.

"All candidates should be subjected to scrutiny, Gay Mitchell is not immune from questioning as indeed no candidate is."