De Rossa rejects reports of Labour Party disunity

Labour Party president Mr Prionsias de Rossa today dismissed allegations of disunity in the party over the fact the top three posts are occupied by former Democratic Left members.

The new party leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte; his deputy, Ms Liz McManus; and Mr de Rossaall joined Labour when it merged with the smaller party in 1998.

Mr de Rossa, MEP for Dublin North West, told ireland.comthis morning there was "no question of disunity" within the party. "We have just come through a decisive leadership election, and the whole party is now behind the elected leaders".

Mr de Rossa saidhe was prepared to step down as president for the sake of unity, "but not one single member of the party has approached me on this issue; the only people to mention it so far are journalists".

The post was created as "a symbol of unity" following the merger between Labour and Democratic Left, he said.

"There are no provisions that I am aware of to step down before the party conference meets next May, but I would be prepared to step down then in the interests of the party," he said.

When asked about who he saw as a suitable successor, the MEP suggested recently retired party leader Mr Ruairí Quinn.