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17th Feb 2021

Leo Varadkar maintains “no offence” was committed in relation to confidential document

Rudi Kinsella

leo varadkar

“I’ve committed no offence, my legal team are adamant that I haven’t”.

Leo Varadkar has again defended himself in relation to the “confidential” report he sent to GP Maitiú Ó Tuathail in 2019.

An article in Village Magazine alleged that Varadkar passed on a confidential agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation to Ó Tuathail, who was the head of the National Association of General Practitioners, in 2019, when Varadkar was Taoiseach.

Reports emerged over the weekend that Gardaí are investigating the situation, with Varadkar saying he is willing to meet with them and make a statement.

He has not yet been approached by any members of An Garda Síochána.

Speaking on Tuesday night’s episode of Prime Time, he said: “I’ve committed no offence. My legal team believe that I haven’t, but I’m willing to speak to them (the Gardaí) and make a statement.”

However, he did admit that he made a mistake.

When asked whether he feels this controversy affects his ability to lead Fine Gael, he said:

“I think anybody in their political career, and this goes for all of us in any career that we have, always make mistakes on occasion and I would never judge someone on their worst moments.

“I would always try and judge people on all the things that they have tried to do, and that’s what I would ask of everyone else.”

This is not the first time Varadkar has defended his actions in relation to this incident, having previously told the Dáil that there was nothing illegal about what he did, nor was there anything corrupt, selfish or dishonest in his actions.

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