Simon Harris' pre-dawn offensive removed potential rivals before breakfast

Harris has never been shy about his political ambitions and had a line of TDs, senators and MEPs waiting to come out in support

Simon Harris looks to be the only candidate to succeed Leo Varadkar. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Leo Varadkar made Fine Gael the party for those who get up early in the morning — his successor will be known as the man who launched a pre-dawn offensive that all but removed his rivals before breakfast.

Almost immediately after Mr Varadkar's shock departure announcement, the Simon Harris team began hitting the phones and finalising the choreography of a plan that undoubtedly must have been in the works for quite some time.