Gilmore has 'very frank discussion' with Prendergast

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Labour MEP Phil Prendergast had a "very frank discussion" last night over her call for Mr Gilmore to resign as party leader.

Mr Gilmore met Ms Prendergast, who is standing for Labour in the Ireland South constituency, in his office in Government Buildings last night before they both attended a reception for Martin Schulz, the Party of European Socialists candidate for president of the European Commission.

There was also a meeting of Labour Ministers yesterday at which water charges were discussed among other issues.

Mr Gilmore insisted he will still support Ms Prendergast’s campaign and canvass for her in the run-up to polling day on May 23rd. He said the meeting between then “went very well”.

He added: "What we both agreed to do between now and May 23rd is to concentrate on winning votes in the election so that we maximise the number of Labour seats in the next European Parliament.

Support pledged
"I support her candidacy. She is the Labour Party candidate and, as far as I am concerned, the Labour Party selects a candidate. I stand with that candidate full square and will continue to do so right up until polling day."

When asked if he told Ms Prendergast her intervention, prompted by poor opinion polls, wasn’t helpful, Mr Gilmore said: “We had a very frank discussion.”

The issue is also expected to be discussed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party today, when TDs and Senators return to Leinster House after their Easter break.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms Prendergast denied she was a hypocrite for now accepting Mr Gilmore’s support.

“He is as committed as he is to all people so that is going to happen. There is a 100 per cent commitment to all of the candidates, including myself. I have no issue whatsoever that the party won’t support.”

Dealing with 'realities'
She said she stood by her opinion he should stand aside as party leader. When asked if Mr Gilmore is fit to be Labour Party leader, Ms Prendergast replied: "He is the leader of the party, that's the reality and we deal with realities.

“We discussed and we shared our views. He already knew my views because of the announcement I made. We had a fairly frank discussion.

“The focus for me from here on in is getting our candidates elected, getting myself elected to Ireland South.

“We’re putting what happened behind us, we shook on that. We had a cordial parting. I stand by what I said but I am moving on now.”

She described their relationship as cordial. She also denied sabotaging other Labour candidates’ campaigns.