Harper’s Chief of Staff Nigel Wright resigns over Duffy controversy
Posted May 19, 2013 09:11:15 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Chief of Staff Nigel Wright says he has resigned from his post in light of the controversy surrounding his handling of matters involving Senator Mike Duffy.
Earlier this week the PM’s office admitted that Wright personally paid off $90,000 in inappropriately claimed housing expenses for Duffy.
Wright said that Harper has accepted his resignation.
“It is with great regret that I have accepted the resignation of Nigel Wright as my Chief of Staff,” Harper said in a statement. “I want to thank Nigel for his tremendous contribution to our Government over the past two and a half years.”
Explaining his actions as far as writing the cheque, Wright said he intended “solely to secure the repayment of funds,” which he considered to be in the public interest.
He says he did not tell Harper how Duffy’s expenses were repaid, either before or after the fact.
“I accept that Nigel believed he was acting in the public interest, but I understand the decision he has taken to resign,” Harper added in his statement.
Wright says he regrets the impact the matter has had on the government, the Tory caucus and all his colleagues.
Duffy, meanwhile, has resigned from his spot in the Conservative caucus, but remains as an independent senator.
