‘Cold’ Leo casts Big Phil adrift from FG
PHIL Hogan was cast adrift from the Fine Gael party by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar this week.
The former EU Commissioner and FG bruiser may have played a key role in securing the leadership for Mr Varadkar, but gratitude or thanks was in short supply at a party meeting.
Sources told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘Leo went out of his way at the meeting to make it clear that there will be no early return for Phil to Fine Gael at any level.’
Instead, Mr Hogan, who continued to be a member of the Brussels branch of the party whilst he was Commissioner, was sharply criticised by Mr Varadkar.
One source said: ‘Leo made it very clear that at no point did he believe any of Phil’s first three explanations.’ Another source added: ‘There was scant thanks for Phil’s belated resignation. Leo was instead in pure CEO mode: the mood was utterly cold.’
Another source noted: ‘The last time I saw someone being cut loose so completely was when Lowry left.’ Ironically, they added: ‘The fellow who wielded the axe on that occasion was Phil. He knows how Lowry feels now.’
Another senior Fine Gael TD said: ‘Leo made it very clear there is no comeback for Phil. He is in the history books now. He is in Elba.’
Mr Varadkar was strongly backed by the Higher Education Minister Simon Harris, with one source noting: ‘Simon takes all this very personally. Coronavirus is his peace process. There was no forgiveness for anyone from Simon.’
By contrast, Mr Varadkar sent strong signals to his three senators Jerry Buttimer, Paddy Burke and John Cummins, noting that the speed of their resignation had been commendable. The clear message, one source noted, was that ‘having pleased the leader with a quick and total surrender, forgiveness may come sooner rather than later’.
Intriguingly, the surrender of the senators may have even provided the leader with an opportunity to strengthen his control of the party courtesy of the decision of Coveney loyalist Mr Buttimer to resign as leas-cathaoirleach of the Seanad.
Mr Varadkar is believed to favour replacing him with Seán Kyne.
Mr Kyne though will be challenged by veteran Senator Joe O’Reilly and Cork senator and strong Coveney supporter Tim Lombard.
One source noted: ‘If Kyne is chosen Leo will control every aspect of the party so it will be interesting to see how the other two fare.’
Separately another senior FG figure noted of the Hogan affair: ‘Ironically it might improve the Government. They had to work together or hang separately.
‘At least FF had the sense to stay out of an FG mess and the Greens stayed entirely clear. It may have been a good life lesson for all.’
‘Leo made it clear there is no comeback for Phil’