People Before Profit has called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to explain why he deleted a tweeted video clip which echoes his remark in the Dail where he called People for Profit TDs "puppets for Putin".
Paul Murphy suggested that the comments were “slander”, but would not go as far as telling the Irish Mirror whether the party would consider suing Mr Martin over the comments.
Mr Murphy wrote to Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl earlier this week demanding that the Taoiseach withdrew comments branding People Before Profit TDs “puppets for Putin”.
It came several hours after Mr Martin said in the Dáil that he would not take the comments back. The remarks were made under Dáil privilege.
People Before Profit has now suggested that Mr Martin posted a video of his comments on Twitter on Wednesday evening and subsequently deleted.
Mr Murphy has now suggested that the Taoiseach deleted the video as it may no longer be covered by Dáil privilege and he “could be sued”.
“I think it's really interesting that he deleted it from a number of social media platforms,” Mr Murphy told the Mirror.
“I can think of two potential reasons he deleted it.
“One is he knows that it's a lie and he is the decent politician that many in the media tell us that he is.
“Secondly, someone may have told him that in repeating the lie on social media, he would no longer be covered by Dáil privilege and he may be able to be sued for and then decided to take it down.
“We don't know. I intend to ask him that question. But obviously, the best way that this will be resolved is by him withdrawing the comments.”
When asked if he would sue the Taoiseach, Mr Murphy said that the “best way this can be resolved is the Taoiseach coming to the Dáil to withdraw the remarks”.
Pushed further, Mr Murphy said: “We need to consider that. That's something down the line.
“It's very clear he overstepped over the line. It's very clear he broke the rules of the Dáil so I’m quite hopeful the Ceann Comarle will ask him to withdraw the remarks”
A spokesperson for the Taoiseach did not respond to queries from The Mirror about why the tweet was deleted.
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