Varadkar 'regrets' leaking copy of GP contract to friend, says Simon Coveney

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney arrives at Dublin Castle for a cabinet meeting. File picture.

Fine Gael Deputy leader Simon Coveney has said Tánaiste Leo Varadkar “regrets” his leaking of a copy of the GP contract with a friend but insisted his intentions were proper.

Mr Coveney insisted the document was leaked on a confidential basis, on the basis of Mr Varadkar wanting to brief National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) head Maitiú Ó Tuathail on where they were at in terms of what the deal looked like, so that he could actually help in selling this to GPs.