LABOUR PRESIDENTIAL candidate Michael D Higgins has denied that any of the weekend revelations regarding Senator David Norris and his former partner were leaked by his campaign or anyone associated with him.
The presidential campaigner refused to comment on the substance of the new information regarding Senator Norris but said it was “a very difficult time” for the Norris campaign.
In Waterford city where he attended the annual Spraoi parade and met members of the public, Mr Higgins said he knew “nothing” about the latest problems to hit the Norris presidency bid. “I’m concentrating on my own campaign. It’s not a matter on which I’d express any opinion.”
Opinion polls have put the popular Labour TD and former minister running third behind Mr Norris and Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell, but the fresh controversy regarding Senator Norris may change that standing.
“I see some of the papers today suggesting and speculating on the source of this most recent development,” Mr Higgins said.
“I can tell you that it was certainly not anybody in my campaign or anyone associated with me in any way. I don’t approve of or indulge in that kind of politics.”
He said he would not comment on whether Mr Norris – who has yet to secure a nomination from sufficient Oireachtas members of local authorities – should withdraw from the race.
“The only thing I have to say about David Norris’s campaign is that I wish the issue of who was standing was over and we got on with a real debate about what we want to do about the presidency.”
He described the method of nominating presidential candidates – they require the support of 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities – as outdated.