Controversy has beset the Labour Party after it emerged that the leadership had invited the ICTU general secretary to seek the party's nomination to contest next year's European election in Leinster.
Mr Michael Bell, the chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party who is also seeking the nomination at next September's selection convention, yesterday expressed deep disquiet over Mr Peter Cassell's entry to the race in Leinster.
He said any attempt to introduce a candidate from outside the Leinster constituency could lead to the type of serious problem that arose in Dublin when an RTE journalist, Ms Orla Guerin, was parachuted in by the leader, Mr Dick Spring. Her addition to the ticket alongside Ms Bernie Malone, who came through convention, led to a bitter contest. Ms Malone was elected and will be selected tomorrow night to seek re-election next year.
Claiming that the issue amounted to a principle, Mr Bell said that if a nomination was to be made, it should come from a member of the Leinster constituency.
"I have no axe to grind with Peter. He is a former trade union colleague. But control and discipline would break down if they opened the doors and allowed people to run where they want," he said.
It is expected Mr Bell and Mr Cassells will go before the convention on September 20th. Labour sources said a constituency branch must now propose Mr Cassells. The leadership is not empowered to propose a candidate but can add one to the ticket.
Mr Bell said he objected because Mr Cassells was from outside the Leinster constituency and belonged to a Dublin branch.
Mr Bell had already indicated to the leadership, his PLP and the national executive that he would seek the nomination and had notified all units of the party in the constituency.
Mr Cassells telephoned him on Friday to say he was seeking the nomination, he said.