Conrad Black denies seeking 'special treatment'

Ex-media mogul muses about suing NDP Leader Tom Mulcair

CBC News

Posted: May 17, 2012 9:01 PM ET

Last Updated: May 17, 2012 9:00 PM ET

Former media baron Conrad Black denies requesting "special treatment" from the Harper Conservatives to return to Canada on a temporary resident permit after his release from a Florida prison earlier this month.

In a one-on-one interview with CBC News chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge, Black — who served 42 months in a Florida prison on fraud and obstruction of justice convictions — said he made "absolutely no contact, direct or indirect" with any government officials.

"I said we will make no overture to them at all. They must have absolute ability to deny that there has been any political contact whatsoever. And there was none," Black said.

Earlier this month, federal NDP Leader Tom Mulcair accused the government of affording "special treatment" to the prime minister's "insider friends."

Black said he was not pleased that the New Democrat called him a "British criminal" while speaking in the House of Commons.

"If he wants to divest himself of his parliamentary immunity, it would certainly be my pleasure to sue him for defamation," Black told Mansbridge.

CBC News chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge's full one-on-one interview with Conrad Black airs Monday on The National at 9 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET/PT on CBC News Network. It will also air on The National on CBC-TV at 10 p.m. ET.

Stay Connected with CBC News

Big Box Advertisement

For The Record: Federal Court ruling on robocalls and electoral fraud by Kady O'Malley May. 23, 2013 9:16 PM Read the full decision here.

Top News Headlines

Duffy says he wants to give Canadians 'the whole story'

Duffy says he wants to give Canadians 'the whole story': Senator Mike Duffy says he wants a "full and open" inquiry so Canadians can get all the facts about the scandal that has rocked the Senate and the Prime Minister's Office and that he has no plans to resign. more »

Toronto mayor fired chief of staff for telling him to 'go away and get help': CBC News has learned the details of what precipitated the firing of Mark Towhey as Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's chief of staff — and it was advice from Towhey that Ford needs to 'get help.' more »
Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations: The Federal Court says it won't throw six MPs out of their seats over allegations of widespread vote suppression through automated robocalls in the 2011 federal election. But Judge Richard Mosley did find that fraud occurred in the election. more »
Alleged Ford crack video seller not responding to calls: The journalist who broke the story alleging Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was recorded on video smoking crack cocaine says he may never be able to get his hands on the evidence. more »
3 injured in Washington state bridge collapse: A Washington state bridge over a river collapsed Thursday evening, dumping two vehicles into the water and sparking a rescue effort by boats and divers who searched the chilly waterway north of Seattle. more »

Must Watch

Latest Politics News Headlines

Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations

Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations: The Federal Court says it won't throw six MPs out of their seats over allegations of widespread vote suppression through automated robocalls in the 2011 federal election. But Judge Richard Mosley did find that fraud occurred in the election. more »

Duffy says he wants to give Canadians 'the whole story': Senator Mike Duffy says he wants a "full and open" inquiry so Canadians can get all the facts about the scandal that has rocked the Senate and the Prime Minister's Office and that he has no plans to resign. more »
PMO denies Senate appointments on hold pending reform: A Conservative MP said Thursday the prime minister will not appoint new senators until there is "substantial reform" to the Senate — but a spokesman for Stephen Harper swiftly contradicted the claim. more »
Duffy expense claims reveal more about campaign travel: Election spending records show additional days Senator Mike Duffy spent on the campaign trail in the 2011 election, including days he told the Senate he was on business, and days on which Deloitte auditors couldn't track him. more »
'Mistaken' Duffy asked Senate committee how much he owed: Letters between Senator Mike Duffy and Senator David Tkachuk, head of the committee looking into his expenses, reveal that Duffy was at times an active participant in the committee's investigation. more »

More Headlines »

The National

The House

Questions mount for Harper and chief of staff Nigel Wright in Senate scandal May. 18, 2013 1:15 PM This week on The House, with Senators Wallin and Duffy now out of the Conservative caucus, we get reaction from NDP Ethics critic Charlie Angus. We also hear directly from Senator Patrick Brazeau who says the Conservatives have thrown him under the bus. Plus we speak with B.C. Premier Christy Clark after her stunning victory.