NDP wants names of Tories involved in taping of private caucus meeting
Should be somewhat interesting to see how this all unfolds.
The NDP wants the names of "any and all individuals" involved in the Conservative decision to record and distribute copies of a New Democrat caucus meeting, and it is threatening legal action to get them.
A letter from NDP counsel presses the Conservatives for the information and strongly suggests litigation will follow unless the names are forthcoming.
"Our client will, if necessary, take appropriate measures to protect its interests," says the Dec. 23 letter from lawyer Steven Barrett to Arthur Hamilton, counsel retained by the Conservatives.
"While I appreciate that your client has been occupied with a number of matters, I am surprised that I have not heard back from you," adds Barrett's letter on behalf of the NDP, obtained by the Canadian Press.
It's the latest chapter in a highly unusual subplot of the political drama that rapidly unfolded late last year, almost toppling the minority Tory government.
The Liberals, NDP and Bloc Québécois hatched plans to defeat the government in a non-confidence vote over the federal economic update, which opposition parties said sorely lacked the sort of economic stimulus needed to revive the ailing economy.
The Conservatives quickly pointed to an audiotape of an NDP conference call in which New Democrat Leader Jack Layton referred to plans to work with the Bloc toward defeating the Tories. The Conservatives said the caucus discussion was evidence of a longstanding, calculated plot to dethrone them — an allegation the NDP denied.
The furor over the recording was largely forgotten as the government teetered on the brink of defeat. Prime Minister Stephen Harper opted to pull the plug on Parliament rather than face the Dec. 8 non-confidence vote.
Meanwhile, the New Democrats asked the Mounties to investigate whether the Conservatives committed a criminal offence by listening in on and recording the caucus call.
In a letter to RCMP Commissioner William Elliott, the party identified John Duncan, Tory MP for Vancouver Island North, as the one who "apparently" taped the conference call. The RCMP, following force custom, refuses to say whether it has launched an investigation.
The Conservatives said in late November they dialled into the call after receiving an email at a Tory address.
"We were invited," Harper spokesman Dimitri Soudas said at the time. "When you get invited somewhere you have the opportunity to choose to participate or not participate."
The NDP believes Duncan mistakenly received an email invitation intended for newly-elected New Democrat Linda Duncan.
Letter demands names of Tories
The letter from Barrett reveals a Dec. 3 conversation in which Hamilton is said to have told him the Conservatives would stop publicly referring to the recording, and that they were prepared to address NDP concerns.
The letter also notes the NDP's demand for the names of everyone who participated in the recording and distribution of the tape, as well as those involved in the decision.
"Please let us know how you would like this matter to unfold and provide us with the information we have been waiting for, or in the alternative, confirm that you are authorized to accept service on behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada and its various members and employees of any legal proceedings my client may initiate."
NDP spokesman Karl Belanger said Sunday the matter "is in the hands of our lawyers" and declined to comment further.
Spokesmen for the Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond to messages Sunday. Barrett and Hamilton were also unavailable.
Should be somewhat interesting to see how this all unfolds.