Varadkar denies resigning because a secret scandal is about to break
LEO Varadkar insists there isn’t ‘some sort of scandal that is about to break that I’m aware of’ that prompted him to step down.
Speaking in Brussels, he said a ‘rubbish’ allegation could be thrown at him in the coming weeks or months and people will say that is why he is stepping aside but stressed this was not the case.
Asked by the Irish Daily Mail if he could guarantee he was not making a ‘Nicola Sturgeon departure’ – the former Scottish First Minister made a shock resignation in February last year shortly before being arrested as part of an investigation into her party’s finances, he said: ‘I’m not. I think the question you’re asking me is there some sort of scandal that’s about to break that I’m aware of.
‘There isn’t is the straight answer to that. I understand the need for conspiracy theories and speculation but that’s simply not the case. That’s not to say that somebody isn’t going to throw some allegation at me, tomorrow or next week or in a few months time that I’m not aware of now that will probably be a load of rubbish like a load of them are. People will then turn around and say “ah ha” that is the real reason but, that’s not. If you want to do that, fine.’
Mr Varadkar said he was stepping down to give space for new people and allow for change.
He added: ‘I know, inevitably, there will be speculation as to the “real reason” for my decision. These are the real reasons. That’s it. I have nothing else lined up or in mind. No definite personal or political plans, but I am looking forward to having the time to think about them.’