PM’s comments about senate expense scandal raise more questions: poli-sci expert
Posted May 21, 2013 03:05:04 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The Prime Minister’s public speech to his caucus about the Senate expenses scandal is under fire from one political science expert, who says the lecture raises a number of questions.
In his address Tuesday morning, Harper said he was “not happy” about the escalating controversy and made it clear he would not stand for Conservative MPs and senators using public ofice for their own benefit.
Nelson Wiseman, who teaches political science at the University of Toronto, tells 1310News he has a number of concerns about the Prime Minister’s comments.
“Why does he refuse to answer these questions in an open press conference? That’s not being transparent,” said Wiseman.
Wiseman says Harper’s comments are a stark contrast to what he said Friday, when a spokesperson said chief of staff Nigel Wright had the “full confidence of the Prime Minister.”
The political science professor says there are a number of outstanding questions, nagging to be asked.
“What did you know? When did you know it? How did this behaviour go on in your office?” asks Wiseman. “What is it that the Prime Minister’s office was trying to cover up?”
Wiseman says it’s possible Harper didn’t know every detail about his former chief of staff’s bailout of Senator Mike Duffy, but says Wright wouldn’t have written a $90,000 cheque if he didn’t think Harper would approve.
