Leo ‘like viper on abortion’... Will Frances return to cool FG nerves?

ATTEMPTS by Leo Varadkar to build a pro-Repeal Fine Gael group have been snubbed by his own senators, TDs and ministers, and may see the return of former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald.

A senior source said: ‘Leo is like a viper these days; this referendum was supposed to sail through and instead he finds himself in a similar situation to [former Fianna Fáil taoiseach] Brian Cowen who lost his first referendum.

Another said: ‘He is going around kicking anything that moves. It is all down to abortion. He thought, mistakenly, it would be like gay marriage, that it would sail through. Instead the ship is sinking and he’s the captain.’

Such is the state of concern in the Varadkar camp, Fine Gael sources revealed: ‘The Taoiseach made an open appeal at a parliamentary party meeting for people to set up a pro-Repeal campaign. It was a bit like those helplines, people were given a number to ring and all.’ They added: ‘I don’t think that the phoneline was melting down since.’

Another source said: There isn’t a vote in the Fine Gael party for this beyond the Pale.’

One senior source close to the Cabinet warned: ‘At best, this thing is set to be a Brexit.’

One pro-life Fine Gael source said: ‘The chief is feeling abandoned, but it is everyone for themselves on this issue. Simon Coveney clarified that for everyone.’

Ministers voting ‘No’, when contacted, said they were sticking with ‘No’.

Such is the level of unease, some party members are canvassing for a shock return by Frances Fitzgerald who resigned in November and last month appeared at the Disclosures Tribunal.

A source said: ‘Leo did say there was a future for Frances after she resigned and... she came out of Disclosures [Tribunal] well... we may need to put the adults in charge, we could need Frances, the comfort blanket, in charge.’