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The news comes less than two years after the pair launched their popular Path to Power podcast. Cooper is editor of the podcast series, which is produced by media agent Noel Kelly. In a joint statement, Kelly’s NK Productions and Cooper said they had ended the partnership with Yates after it emerged Yates had worked to provide debate preparation for Jim Gavin, Fianna Fáil’s candidate in the presidential election. However, Yates did not disclose it to them or to the podcast audience. The statement read: “Following disclosures in the Irish Independent (Saturday) that Ivan Yates provided training services to Fianna Fail candidate, Jim Gavin, during the recent Presidential election, we have taken the decision to end Ivan’s role as co-host of Path To Power with immediate effect. “Neither Matt Cooper nor NK Productions were aware that Ivan was working on the campaign, and both believe that this information should have been shared with the audience of the podcast when the Presidential election was being discussed. “Ivan recently advised the Path To Power team of his wish to leave the podcast in the New Year. Nevertheless, the team have taken the decision that in light of this development, his role as a co-host will end immediately. Speaking today, Matt Cooper, said: “While we have always been aware of Ivan’s commercial activities, his decision not to advise us that he was actively engaged in the Presidential election on behalf of one of the parties is disappointing. Had he shared that information with us, we would have made sure that our audience was aware of the matter when we were discussing the election.” Cooper also expressed his appreciation to Ivan for his contribution to the podcast since it was launched. “Ivan has a unique perspective on Irish politics and he made a great contribution to the podcast and I wish him every success in the future.” The Path To Power podcast is available without subscription each week. A separate subscription episode is also available on a weekly basis. Yates was not immediately available for comment. The Irish Independent on Saturday first reported Yates was working with Fianna Fáil and Gavin. It reported that Yates’s confidential role in Gavin’s campaign was emerging only now in the ongoing fallout within Fianna Fáil. Separate sources from within the campaign told the Irish Independent that Yates had been involved in debate preparation with Gavin, and was coaching the candidate ahead of his high-profile appearances. The extent of Yates’s work with Gavin, and when he was involved, is unclear.
