Minister defends 'compassionate' Harris

THE Tanaiste is “full of compassion” and “empathy”, a Fine Gael minister said - as he backed Simon Harris amid calls for his resignation.

- BY CILLIAN SHERLOCK

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke expressed support for his party leader yesterday after more than 1,000 people marched through the streets of Dublin.

The rally was in support of Harvey Morrison Sherratt, nine, who had scoliosis and spina bifida, and died on July 29.

His parents, Stephen Morrison and Gillian Sherratt, said their son waited for years for spinal surgery, during which time the curve in his spine went from 75 degrees to 130 degrees.

By the time Harvey received surgery last December, the curve had reached the point where it could not be fully corrected.