Senator Averil Power has accused the Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin of lying after he accused her of trying to orchestrate a selection convention for her own benefit.
Mr Martin and Ms Power clashed yesterday after the Senator announced her resignation from Fianna Fáil .
Ms Power said she met Mr Martin and the party’s general secretary earlier in the year and they both told her only one candidate would be selected to run for Fianna Fáil in the constituency of Dublin Bay North in the next general election.
She said she was told by them she was the best-placed person to take the seat and Mr Martin’s version of events was a “lie”.
Mr Martin claimed Ms Power had asked him to support her in the selection convention in Dublin Bay North and not to back Councillor Seán Haughey, who will be one of the contenders.
Ms Power said the comments were “outrageous and totally untrue” and was a sign of the return to old-school Fianna Fáil. “I know I would have a strong chance of being elected for Fianna Fáil in the next election. But I have come to the conclusion that I don’t want to be a Fianna Fáil TD. I want to be true to myself and have the courage to walk away from the party.”
Ms Power said her announcement was not intended to be a personal attack on Mr Martin. She said he had good intentions but had no control over his party. Mr Martin said her comments were vindictive, disingenuous and unfair. He said he felt it reflected more on her than on him as a leader.
“I’m not hurt but it just shows a side to her character that is disappointing – she might learn it doesn’t pay to be personally vindictive in politics.”
