Taoiseach to lose key Fine Gael ally as Brendan Griffin confirms he won't stand in next election

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has lost a key Fine Gael ally as Brendan Griffin confirmed that he will not contest the next general election.

There have been suggestions for a number of weeks that the Kerry man would not seek re-election.

There was anger in the party last month when Mr Griffin was “overlooked” for the Chief Whip position during the Cabinet reshuffle.