MR Michael Lowry, who will contest the general election in North Tipperary as an Independent candidate, has told his supporters not to "vote or influence" Fine Gael's selection convention in the constituency tonight.

Following his official announcement yesterday that he would attempt to retain his seat, sources close to Mr Lowry said he told a meeting of his local branch on Sunday not to participate in the Fine Gael convention on the basis that they could not "play two hands at the same time".

A Fine Gael spokesman last night denied that delegates voting tonight would be asked, in advance, to "sign a pledge" of loyalty to the party candidate. It is understood that the idea was mooted after a meeting of the constituency executive in North Tipperary at the weekend.

However, the Fine Gael spokesman said all validated delegates who attended the convention "implicitly accept the rules and constitution of the party". "There is no mechanism for imposing an additional pledge of loyalty as suggested," the spokesman added. "There may be confusion over the fact that everyone who seeks a nomination must sign a pledge. Delegates do not."

Meanwhile, after confirming he would vote for Mr John Bruton in his nomination for Taoiseach, Mr Lowry denied that his decision to stand as an Independent candidate was a "ready up" between him and Fine Gael.

"Absolutely not," he said. "I looked at the facts and circumstances and decided it was in my own best interests to take this course of action. I never discussed this in detail with the Taoiseach and no arrangement has been made with him."

Leaving Fine Gael had proved a major wrench as his loyalty had always been to the party. Saying he would like to return to Fine Gael some day, he added: "I have to take each hurdle as it is."

Asking voters to place their confidence in his ability, he said he" had made mistakes and was attempting to rebuild his political career. The only way he could do this was by means of the independent route because of his circumstances. He would have to rebuild his political organisation, but he was "extremely heartened and encouraged" by the level of support he had received.

Commending Mr Bruton as "the outstanding political leader in our country", he said he had done a marvellous job as Taoiseach, particularly in his chairing of the partnership Government.

A Fianna Fail TD for Waterford, Mr Martin Cullen, said Mr Lowry's announcement could only be described as a "cynical bilateral con job rather than a unilateral move by the former minister". There was nothing noble in his decision to resign, and Fine Gael's "collusion" in this manoeuvre had not received appropriate attention. "This is all being done with ultimate reunion in mind," Mr Cullen said.

The Taoiseach has said Fine Gael will be selecting its candidate for North Tipperary tonight, and he will visit the constituency to support the party candidate at the "appropriate time".

"We will be seeking the support of all Fine Gael people in North Tipperary for the Fine Gael candidate," he said.

Asked if he was "disappointed" by Mr Lowry's decision to stand, Mr Bruton said: "The decision for any individual to stand as an Independent for the Dail is their decision. Mr Lowry has resigned from Fine Gael and is not subject to Fine Gael discipline:

"Obviously, I am disappointed that the circumstances have arisen that led to his resignation but, if you take a position as we did on what was the appropriate provision people should make in regard to compliance with tax laws ... sometimes you have to accept that some of the consequences of the application of that principle will be hard at a personal level or hard at a political level. That's the way life is."