Dion apologizes as PM's spokesman demands apology
Last Updated: Thursday, January 31, 2008 | 11:52 PM ET
CBC News
Related
Stéphane Dion has apparently apologized Thursday for saying the prime minister's spokesman was involved in extortion, the same day the spokesman accused the Liberal leader of defaming him.
Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was fingered for political interference in media reports published earlier this week.
In a letter released Thursday, Soudas's lawyer said Dion, who accused Soudas of being involved in extortion, owed the man a public apology and had until next Wednesday to deliver it to the media outside of the House of Commons.
It was not immediately clear if an apology made by Dion after question period Thursday would suffice.
"Yesterday I used an inappropriate word: 'extortion' attempt. I apologize for that, and that was not the appropriate word," Dion said.
Instead, he said the situation sounded like political interference.
Soudas and Leo Housakos, a longtime Tory supporter and party organizer in Quebec, were the subjects this week of a joint investigation by the Globe and Mail and Radio-Canada.
The report, which aired on the CBC's French-language service Tuesday night, alleged Soudas directly intervened on behalf of Rosdev Group, a Montreal real estate developer currently involved in a multimillion-dollar lawsuit with the Public Works Department over the management of two office buildings that house thousands of civil servants.
The report also said that Housakos intervened directly with the Public Works Department.
The allegations have created a stir in the House of Commons. The NDP have called for an investigation by the federal ethics commissioner, while the Bloc Quebecois have tabled a motion that would require Soudas to appear before a parliamentary committee.
Soudas denies allegations
Soudas has denied that he was guilty of political interference, saying he consulted with Public Works in order to get information about the lawsuit.
"Your allegation that Mr. Soudas was party to extortion … is patently false," said the letter to Dion from the Lang Michener firm.
"At no time did our client act illegally or use an official position or powers to obtain property, funds, or patronage.
"Your defamatory statement was calculated to maliciously disparage our client as a person and as a public official, and is actionable as such."
With files from the Canadian PressShare Tools
Top News Headlines
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- The victim of a Friday lightning strike during a storm in east Ottawa has died, CBC News has learned. more »
- Syrian children massacred by the dozens, UN says
- More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, with the head of the UN team in the country confirming at least 32 children and 60 adults were killed in an artillery attack. more »
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico
- Two Winnipeg children reported missing and possibly in Mexico have been found alive, according to unofficial reports from an agency that works to find missing people. more »
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Bad weather has hampered the recovery team that is attempting to bring down the body of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest. more »
Latest Canada News Headlines
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico
- Two Winnipeg children reported missing and possibly in Mexico have been found alive, according to unofficial reports from an agency that works to find missing people. more »
- Montreal student group says Bill 78 must be priority
- Quebec's coalition of student associations says Bill 78 must be a priority if a new round of negotiations start up with the government in the ongoing tuition conflict. more »
- N.L. premier 'at odds' with Peter MacKay
- Kathy Dunderdale, the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, tells CBC Radio's Evan Solomon she's growing increasingly 'at odds' with Conservative MP Peter MacKay. more »
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
The National
The Current
- What does it take to get fired at the RCMP? May. 25, 2012 5:02 PM After a senior Mountie was demoted for disgraceful conduct including sex with subordinates, exposing himself and drinking on the job, some former employees wonder what you have to do to get fired.
- Quebec tornadoes cause millions in damage
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Pope's butler arrested in Vatican leaks scandal
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Woman's remains found in hockey bag on Cape Breton river
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
