Mathews: ‘I had no choice’

Dublin South TD Peter Mathews quit Fine Gael last week claiming he had no choice but to leave the party.

Deputy Mathews, who lost the party whip after voting against the abortion legislation, handed in his resignation to party leader Enda Kenny.

In a statement Deputy Mathews said:

“Unfortunately, I have been placed in a position by the leadership of the party that has led me to this decision.

?

He claimed he had been told by Fine Gael leadership that there was no way back for him to rejoin the party.

“I would not be signing a blind political loyalty to some areas that might be more important and more core to life and death matters than normal political policy matters,

? he told RTÃ? Radio.

Deputy Mathews, who is now a member of the Reform Alliance that is made up of former Fine Gael TDs and Senators who voted against the Government on the abortion legislation, said he would stay in politics as an Independent.