Fine Gael Accuses Lee Of Leaving Over Wage Drop

Former broadcaster and journalist George Lee has reacted with anger to accusations that his departure from Opposition Party Fine Gael was due to a drop in wages.

The debate over the George Lee's shock departure at the start of this week rages on after a "full and frank" meeting of the party last night, where the fallout from the high profile departure was discussed.

The position of the party's leader Enda Kenny has fallen onto shaky ground over the issue, prompting energy spokesman Simon Coveney to even remark that there would be "consequences" if Mr Kenny could not "step up to the mark".

But the sour turn for the party has been bolstered by a comment from education spokesman Brian Hayes who suggested Mr Lee had complained to him about a drop in salary after quitting RTÉ to become a TD last June and hinted it was the reason for his departure.

George Lee however said the comments amounted to "dirty tricks" and accused the party of attempts to denigrate him.

"They are scraping the bottom of the barrel for an excuse to explain what has gone wrong. They are trying to denigrate me. There’s about 70 of them and an organisation with a whole press team. They know what they are doing, they are trying to turn it on me rather than focus on the issues. If it was about money I’d still be there [the Dáil]. I can’t believe they are resorting to that," he said.

Mr Lee also hit out at a whispering campaign claiming he walked out so he could take up RTÉ’s glamour posting as Washington correspondent.

Mr Lee originally stated that his departure was over a lack of influence within the party over the last nine months.

Speaking at last night's meeting, the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the issue of George Lee’s departure from the Dáil was now over and that the former Dublin South TD should not be hounded because of his resignation.

(DW/GK)