Ms Noone said her comment that the taoiseach was “on the spectrum” was taken out of context

Leo Varadkar has been described as “autistic” by a Fine Gael senator running in the general election.

Catherine Noone made the comments while canvassing in Dublin, after being asked about the taoiseach’s performance on last week’s Virgin Media head-to-head debate. She withdrew the description after being contacted by The Times.

Mr Varadkar has been criticised for appearing to lack empathy on issues such as health and the homelessness crisis.

“I care about this country. I probably can’t put it into words as well as my opponent, but I do it with my actions,” Mr Varadkar said during the debate. “I show my empathy in the work I do, maybe I don’t say it in the right words.”

Ms Noone, 46, a Fine Gael senator