Canadian Prime Minister’s Re-Election Bid Dogged by Trial of Former Senator

Nigel Wright, a multimillionaire businessman and the prime minister’s former chief of staff, gave Duffy a bank draft in 2013 for $90,172 from a personal account, to cover the senator’s disputed travel and living expenses.

Benjamin Perrin’s testimony at Duffy’s fraud, breach of trust and bribery trial covered the negotiations that transpired between Duffy and the PMO in February and March 2013.

Reporter: Good morning Mr. Harper. Wright has an interpretation of not lying that only a lawyer could love. There was an agreement between Duffy and the Prime Minister’s Office(PMO) that Duffy would admit he was in error and repay the expenses.

Perrin described in detail the call placed to lawyer Janice Payne.

“Having read some of the media, I understand there was an explanation given that was different from my understanding”.

Forum president Lorne Bozinoff said the Duffy trial does not appear to be the Ottawa “inside baseball” kerfuffle that some political observers have claimed. Payne said Duffy wouldn’t follow through with a commitment to repay.

Campaign: “These are the actions of Mr. Duffy and Mr. Wright”. Duffy from the audit reviews once repayment was made.

Nonetheless, NDP leader Thomas Mulcair wasted no time in questioning Harper’s leadership abilities, saying that he was responsible for what happened inside the PMO and called on voters to “fire”, him on October. 19.

Perrin added that Novak was “was present throughout the call”, even though he didn’t speak. He took his campaign on to Winnipeg later in the day. “In reading through the entire chain (of emails) forwarded to me it was very clear to me that the objective being sought was to ensure that the test for constitutional residence under the Constitution Act would not disenfranchise any now sitting Conservative senators”. I sat in the chair closest to the, with my back to the door. “We’re good to go”, came after that conversation. “Ray Novak entered Mr. Wright’s office and took a seat…at the head of the table”. They’ve been held accountable and as I said, that’s exactly the appropriate thing to do and that’s what I’ve done.

Perrin said he looked over at Novak for a reaction, but saw none.

Wright earlier testified that Novak had only popped in and out of that conversation. I’ve known Ray for 20 years. “These were introductions. It seemed to be the first interaction they’ve had”, Mr. Perrin said.

Alongside the Duffy scandal that is implicating more and more staff from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Conservatives have faced allegations that Tory Senator Don Meredith pursued a sexual relationship with a teenage girl that began when she was 16. “Duffy is going to go ahead and repay that because it’s coming out of my pocket, ‘” Perrin said.

“I was quite surprised”, testified Perrin.

As it is, it has consistently pushed Harper off message, she said.