The fallout from former Wexford Minister Ivan Yates’ involvement in the Fianna Fáil presidential campaign is continuing to cause ripples within the party with tension mounting among grassroots members.
The controversy erupted when it emerged that Ivan Yates, a former Fine Gael Minister and media personality, had been coaching Jim Gavin’s presidential campaign.
This revelation has sparked a firestorm of criticism with many Fianna Fáil members feeling blindsided by the decision to bring Yates into the fold especially given his connections with Fine Gael.
The Chair of Wexford County Council & Fianna Fail Councillor Joe Sullivan described the situation as a “debacle” and expressed frustration over the lack of transparency about Yates’ involvement.
“Grassroots members feel completely left in the dark,” “It has created an atmosphere of distrust, especially when it comes to how this was handled.” .
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Sean Defoe, our political correspondent, who also shared a podcast with Mr Yates added further fuel to the fire pointing to Yates’ controversial media appearances where he made provocative remarks including a suggestion that he would have “smeared the bejesus” out of Catherine Connolly if he had worked on Heather Humphreys’ campaign.
Speaking on Morning Mix Mr Defoe said these comments, coupled with Yates’ connections to Fine Gael, have worsened relations between the two coalition partners.
The rift within Fianna Fáil has led to increased speculation about the party’s future leadership. As Mícheál Martin continues to face criticism from both within his own party and from Fine Gael, Defoe suggested that the timing of Yates’ involvement in the campaign could be a turning point in the leadership struggle.
“This could become a significant issue for Martin’s position as leader especially with a review of the presidential election process due to be published soon,”
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