Peter Mathews resigns from Fine Gael party

Fine Gael TD Peter Mathews has resigned from the party. The Deputy confirmed this afternoon that he had hand-delivered a letter of resignation to party leader Enda Kenny this morning.
He said the stance of the party leadership on certain issues had left him with no option other than to resign.
Deputy Mathews had been kicked out of the Fine Gael parliamentary party after voting against the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.
He is the first member of the new Reform Alliance to formally resign from Fine Gael.
In the short letter of resignation, Deputy Mathews said “Unfortunately I have been placed in a position by the Leadership of the Party that has led me to this decision”.
Political Correspondent with the Sunday Times is Sarah McInerney. She says Peter Matthews may have an eye on a seat in the European parliament.
“He’s saying he looks forward to serving the remainder of the 31st Dáil as an Independent TD, and to working within a flexible and collegial Reform Alliance” she said.
“Having said that I was speaking to him last week..having heard that he may be considering running in the European elections next year”.
“He said it is something  that he is considering – he hasn’t ruled it out or ruled it in – so that may be an avenue that he looks at instead” she added.