Inside Politics

Colvin Memo Leak Update: The reviews are in ...

by Kady O'Malley Posted: November 30, 2009 9:49 AM Last Updated: November 30, 2009 9:57 AM
... and the critics -- the opposition foreign affairs critics, that is -- seem to be giving the latest twist in the plot a resounding thumbs down, judging from the response that I got from two members of the committee that has been trying, and failing, to get its hands on copies of the very same memos that were apparently obtained, albeit in redacted form, by Globe and Mail columnist Christie Blatchford -- who, incidentally, is now dismissing Colvin as a "so-called whistleblower" in a second column based on the contents. 

In response to a Sunday morning email query from Inside Politics , Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae pointed out that at least some of the material has been posted online for days. "I don't know if Christie has more than that - she may have other sources as an "embedded" journalist." 

He also noted that the committee has already voted that the denial of access to documents was a breach of privilege, and says that the matter will be raised again in the House this week.  "The government's approach - condemning Colvin without giving access to complete versions of what he wrote - is flat wrong, and Canadians understand that. It is a clear breach of natural justice and makes a mockery of Parliament and the life of its committees."  

Meanwhile, also contacted by email, the NDP's Paul Dewar wondered, "Why is it that certain people have access to secret documents and not members of the parliamentary committee? Is it that Conservatives consider parliament to be some sort of security threat to the government?" 

As far as he's concerned, it is "outrageous that the government continues to hide the truth from Canadians," which is why he believes that a full public inquiry is required. (That, as it happens, will be the subject of his party's final opposition day motion before the Christmas break, which is scheduled to be debated on Tuesday.)  

At press time, committee chair Rick Casson had yet to respond to my query. I've also got a call into Laurie Hawn, currently the parliamentary secretary for defence, who has been the lead questioner for the government side at committee. As soon as I hear from them, I'll update this post with their reaction to what would seem to be the scoop of the year by the Globe.