With nine days left to the presidential election, the bitter exchanges between the Taoiseach and the Fine Gael leader over the leaking of confidential memos relating to Prof Mary McAleese seem set to continue.
However, Government sources last night predicted that the candidate would not be damaged by the leaks. ein. They believe they will consolidate Fianna Fail support behind her though they acknowledge that transfers from other candidates could float away.
In a letter to the Taoiseach yesterday, Mr John Bruton called for a full withdrawal of the "false allegation" that he or his staff may have leaked the Department of Foreign Affairs documents. A Government spokesman last night said Mr Ahern would reply to Mr Bruton's letter today.
Following a series of exchanges between the two in recent days, Mr Bruton said he was particularly concerned that the Taoiseach had effectively accused him of "a criminal offence". He denied taking any so-called Green Books with him on leaving office, "nor did any of my staff". These books from the Department of Foreign Affairs contain information and records of Anglo-Irish business.
Mr Bruton told the Taoiseach he would have discovered it was always his practice, in government, to return all such reports, when read, to his officials.
"You will be aware that, as Taoiseach and subsequently, I have condemned all leaks in trenchant terms. Indeed, as Taoiseach, I was criticised on more than one occasion in the media for the vigour with which I endeavoured to investigate leaks. It is my belief, which is well-known, that leaks of any kind are immensely damaging to the operation of government, particularly in regard to the sensitive subject of Northern Ireland," Mr Bruton added.
Meanwhile, the former leader of the PDs, Mr Des O'Malley, said he would be supporting Prof McAleese in her campaign to become President. "She is the official government candidate and I will be supporting her," he said.