LUCINDA Creighton has insisted she will never rejoin Fine Gael — despite being pals with Leo Varadkar.

The former Junior Minister split from the party in 2013 after voting against the government on an abortion bill.

3 Lucinda Creighton has confirmed she would not rejoin Fine Gael Credit: Jason Clarke Photography

But the 37-year-old is a close friend of Taoiseach Varadkar, 38, fuelling speculation she would return to the fold.

However, she is adamant she won’t rejoin Fine Gael.

She told the Irish Sun: “I’m quite happy to confirm that I won’t be joining Fine Gael.

3 New Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is friendly with the former Junior Minister Credit: PA:Press Association

“Friends and colleagues in the parliamentary party at different stages over the last three years have said they’d like me to come back — including in the last few weeks.

“But I have no intention of rejoining Fine Gael full stop. Running for election again is not on my radar at all, and although it’s something I wouldn’t rule out way down the road in the future it’s highly unlikely it would be as a Fine Gael candidate.”

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The Mayo-born former Dublin South-East TD was expelled from the parliamentary party in July 2013 when she voted against the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, and resigned as Minister of State for European Affairs.

Creighton then served as an Independent TD and was involved in the Reform Alliance before founding Renua.

3 Creighton quit as Renua leader in May last year Credit: EPA

The Irish Sun columnist quit as leader in May 2016 after the party lost its three seats in the General Election, and has since set up her own business, Vulcan Consulting.

The mum of a three-year-old who is expecting her second child in a few weeks, said: “I spent the last year working my butt off to build a new business. It’s a totally different challenge and much more rewarding.

“I don’t have to worry about going into a coffee shop and being abused by people, or receiving 20 emails a day telling me how I’m wrong on so many issues. That’s the life of a TD.”

Talking of pal Leo, she said: “We see each other every few months and that’s about it, we’re both very busy with family life.”