OTTAWA — The coverage of former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer’s court case has drawn the ire of Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
He wrote an open letter about two reporters Wednesday who he claimed were “advancing” the “Liberal spin” by suggesting the Conservative government interfered in Jaffer’s case.
Jaffer, who is married to cabinet Minister Helena Guergis, was arrested in Palgrave, Ont., in September for speeding and was charged with driving under the influence and cocaine possession. Both charges were subsequently dropped, and Jaffer pleaded guilty to careless driving and was fined $500 Tuesday.
Industry Minister Tony Clement said Wednesday Jaffer is a “private citizen” who can “look after his own issues.
“He’s not a public figure, he’s not a member of Parliament, he’s not been elected to anything currently,” Clement said when asked about suggestions there was political interference in the case. “The prosecutor is a provincial prosecutor. The judge is somebody that we cannot influence,” nor should the government try, he said.
But the implication of interference caused Public Safety Minister Vic Toews to harangue at least two reporters — working for the Winnipeg Free Press and CanWest — in an open letter about their coverage, writing they were “advancing” the “Liberal spin.”
The NDP’s justice critic, Joe Comartin, who called Toews’ letter “below contempt,” said he wants both the provincial attorney general and Justice Minister Rob Nicholson to explain to Canadians why very serious charges against Jaffer were dropped, because there’s a “perception” of a double-standard.
bryn.weese@sunmedia.ca
