Mc Hugh backs Bruton as FG leadership bid intensifies

As Donegal North East Deputy Joe Mc Hugh becomes the latest Fine Gael TD to back Richard Bruton’s leadership bid, the former deouty leader has made an eleventh hour appeal to Enda Kenny not to go ahead with tomorrow’s vote of confidence and quit as party leader.
Mr Bruton has been given a major boost today as Laois Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan, and the man appointed as acting finance spokesman – Kieran O’Donnell – declared they wouldn’t vote confidence in Mr Kenny.
Richard Bruton told reporters this evening that the people can only have faith in his party under a new leader.
However, the Kenny camp, which includes Donegal South West Deputy Dinny Mc Ginley, says the “numbers don’t lie” and they believe they have it in the bag.
A large group of supporters led by Phil Hogan have faced the media this evening.
He says that after tomorrow’s vote he still wants to see Enda Kenny as the next Taoiseach and Richard Bruton as the Finance Minister, and rejected suggestions from the Bruton camp that Enda Kenny should just give up now.