Leo left spinning after Kylie letter ‘camera slut’ attack on Late Late
MARIO ROSENSTOCK must be counting his lucky stars with the current Taoiseach in the hot seat. In a similar way to how Donald Trump has revived the careers of comedians throughout America, Leo has become a Golden Goose for comedians here (albeit it to a far lesser extent), and none moreso than the Gift Grub star.
Mr Varadkar has been the subject of ridicule from the get go with his Happy Socks and squeaky clean, manicured PR image. One got the sense from him that he was all about the optics, with a giant question mark hanging over how much substance he would bring to the role.
Personally I was impressed by Enda Kenny when he started having heard that he was so moved having been named Taoiseach that he broke down in tears on a visit to his old school shortly afterwards. And I have been impressed by the manner in which Mr Varadkar conducts himself in interviews and in Dáil debates. His decision to write a letter to the Australian pop star Kylie Minogue in October ahead of her gig in Dublin was perfectly within his rights, if a bit embarrassing. The letter, written, in parts in text speak, reads: ‘Dear Kylie, just wanted to drop you a short note in advance of the concert in Dublin. I am really looking forward to it. Am a huge fan! I understand you are staying in the Merrion Hotel which is just across the street from my office in Government Buildings. If you like, I’d love to welcome you to Ireland personally,” signing off the letter with ‘Leo V Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister)’.
Speaking on The Late Late Show on Friday night, former minister Michael McDowell said he was ‘slightly annoyed’ that the Taoiseach had written to the pop star, adding: ‘I thought “he is a bit of a camera slut”.’
He also asked if people could ‘imagine me in the Department of Justice writing a letter like that? I don’t think it would happen’.
For one, I don’t think many people spend too much time thinking about the former Minister for Justice, Tanáiste and attorney general any more.
He took issue with Mr Varadkar using official Department of the Taoiseach headed paper, which is fair enough, but we’re in the realm of dancing on a pinhead here. Who cares?!
Mr Varadkar must have been singing ‘Get Outta My Way’ watching Tubs interview McDowell on Friday. Afterwards he defended sending the letter and denied any hand, act or part in the photo.
Despite it being an official note, the Taoiseach attempted to prevent the release of the letter on two occasions under Freedom of Information, before finally relenting, adding to fun-fest for his opponents.
Fobbing off the matter, he said he spent a minute writing the letter. ‘If they think this is a big story - that’s more of a reflection on them than me,’ suggesting he managed to get the matter out of his head. Kylie’s October gig was cancelled when she came down with a throat infection, but the Taoiseach did eventually meet her backstage after he attended her rescheduled gig in December last year. Leo should be so lucky!