A GARDA inquiry into the leaking of a confidential document by then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been upgraded to a full criminal investigation.
In November 2020, a complaint was made against Mr Varadkar over an alleged leak of a confidential government document in April 2019, when he was serving as Taoiseach.
He is understood to have sent details of a confidential €210m GP contract to his friend Dr Maitiú Ó Tuathail, the head of the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP), despite the contract containing details of a tentative deal the government had struck with NAGP's rival organisation the IMO.
Mr Varadkar has insisted he hasn't committed any offence and has worked with Gardaí as they make inquiries, and the Tánaiste has retained the support of the rest of his government colleagues, including the Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Now Gardaí involved in the inquiry have confirmed a full investigation is under way into the circumstances which led to Mr Varadkar leaking the confidential document to his friend.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar. Photo: Julien Behal Photography / RollingNews.ieAll evidence gathered by investigating officers will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who will decide if the law has been broken and which criminal charges, if any, are necessary.
According to RTÉ News, the investigation is being carried out by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which often deals with organised and serious crime, and a team of detectives have been appointed to make further inquiries.
A spokesperson for Mr Varadkar said that gardaí have not been in contact with Mr Varadkar.
"Last month, on foot of media reports, his solicitors contacted the gardaí to confirm his willingness to meet them and provide a statement," his spokesperson said.
"His legal advice is that he has committed no offence and looks forward to the matter being concluded."
See More: Criminal Investigation, Leo Varadkar
