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Michael McDowell shocked the political world last night when he responded to the latest Bertie allegations by keeping his mouth shut.

In a move without precedent for the Tanaiste and leader of the Progressive Democrats, the party’s press office confirmed that on the issue of Bertie Ahern and the Manchester payments Mr. McDowell had nothing to say.

In the past the TD for Dublin South East has found it comparatively easy to spout all manner of commentary on anything and everything, but on this matter it appears that silence is indeed golden.

‘McDowell has no problem having an opinion on things he knows nothing about,’ claimed one anonymous PD source last night, ‘but on the Manchester payments he has been informed of the facts – a rarity for the man. This has led to his new-found brevity with the English language.’

Indeed, a quick look at the Tanaiste’s web site reveals that the Minister for Justice has not released a press statement since 14 September.

This ground-breaking, and untested, tactic for the Tanaiste is about to bleed over into the weekend, although it is expected that the Sindo will launch a counter-offensive on behalf of McDowell.