I am unclear how this actually affects anything. I thought the whole idea that anything he did was actually illegal in the first place. It is unclear why the RCMP actually pressed charges. I am also unclear of any implications on Harper other than he was his appointment. I would think that his exoneration would be a boost to the Conservatives although at this point it really doesn't matter one way or the other. Election is not for another 3.5 years. Nobody will eve remember who Duffy (or Harper for that matter) is at that point.
Duffy's clean.
Which means somebody has to be dirty.
Somebody orchestrated this political show trial.
Somebody decided to go for a full-bore prosecution with no fewer than 31-charges.
Somebody has been lying ever since the day that Duffy's unfortunately email was leaked to CTV.
There's no plausible denial left for Stephen Harper. Not this time. Not after Duffy was acquitted of all 31-charges. Not after what Justice Vaillancourt had to say about this "mind-boggling and shocking" scheme. The judge didn't just pronounce Duffy "not guilty," he found him not remotely blameworthy. Duffy wasn't acquitted, he was exonerated. There's a legal dynamic at play in that.
Nigel Wright is no longer everybody's Boy Scout. No, now he's another Tory Dirtbag. Ray Novak?
The Senate Tory leadership who participated in this scheme, including LeBreton, Tkachuk and Stewart-Olsen?
About the only one of the principals who comes out unscathed is Ben Perrin, the whistleblower. Whether he acted out of principle or merely saw the writing on the wall we may never know. Perhaps it doesn't much matter.
Former PMO lawyer says Tories have 'lost the moral authority to govern' - The Globe and Mail
What a fitting way for Stephen Harper to leave federal politics - in utter disgrace.
What we got today was a glimpse at his actual findings. For example:
“The political, covert, relentless, unfolding of events is mindboggling and shocking. The precision and planning of the exercise would make any military commander proud.”
The judge concluded the PMO designed a scenario to have Duffy repay, even if it meant Wright handed over a cheque. It “was not for the benefit of Senate Duffy, but rather, it was for the benefit of the government and the PMO.
“This was damage control at its finest.”
Benjamin Perrin, ex-PMO lawyer, believed Harper OK'd details of plan to repay Duffy's expenses - Politics - CBC News