The special prosecutor who yesterday exonerated Solicitor General Kash Heed today withdrew from the case revealing that his law firm had donated to Heed's campaign during the election.
“I am a partner in the law firm of Harper Grey LLP,” Terrence Robertson wrote in a letter to Robert Gillen with the Attorney General ministry today. “Sometime in May of 2009, shortly before the Provincial Election, my law firm made a political contribution of $1,000.00 to the B.C. Liberal Party, Kash Heed election campaign.
“I was aware of the contribution to the Heed campaign by my law firm, but did not believe that it was a conflict of interest that would preclude me from acting as Special Prosecutor.”
He continued, “Several weeks before charge approval, I was asked by the RCMP whether I felt there was a conflict of interest due to my firm making a campaign contribution. I provided my opinion that I did not feel there was a conflict.
“Given that charges were not approved against Kash Heed and upon further reflection, I have concluded that my continuing as Special Prosecutor on this matter may well provoke comment from the public and the media as to whether I am sufficiently independent to act as Special Prosecutor in this matter.”
He said he believed his recommendations were made objectively, but that he is withdrawing from the case.
Gillen accepted Robertson's decision, and will appoint a new special prosecutor.
Yesterday, on Robertson's advice, Criminal and Election Act charges were laid against Heed's campaign manager Barinder Sall. Also charged were the Heed campaign financial agent Satpal Johl and the owner of the North American Mailing company, Dinesh Khanna. The charges relate to an illegal brochure and alleged interference with the investigations into who was responsible.
Today Premier Gordon Campbell reappointed Heed as solicitor general. Campbell's announcement cited Robertson's report that "fully exonerated Heed."
Harper Grey and Harper Grey Easton have given $24,170 to the B.C. Liberal Party and its candidates since 2005, according to Elections B.C.'s donations database.
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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verso
3 years ago
What a gong show...
He steps down AFTER he clears Heed. Unbelievable.
Willy P
3 years ago
“I was aware of the
“I was aware of the contribution to the Heed campaign by my law firm, but did not believe that it was a conflict of interest that would preclude me from acting as Special Prosecutor.”
Didn't the jackass see that there might be a "perception" of conflict of interest? How long did this buffoon go to school?
“Given that charges were not approved against Kash Heed and upon further reflection, I have concluded that my continuing as Special Prosecutor on this matter may well provoke comment from the public and the media as to whether I am sufficiently independent to act as Special Prosecutor in this matter.”
Well freakin' DUH! How long did this idiot take to come to that conclusion?
A Public Inquiry would be a good start here....
DPL
3 years ago
BC politics have bottomed
BC politics have bottomed out with this latest event. seems to me the lawyer should have refused to accept the job, or stepped down before he decided on pretty short notice that the ex cop was blind, never heard anything and dumb besides. and now we have a tainted SG. Way to go Gordo.
Skywalker
3 years ago
That does explain it.
Stepping down after you have made the call is too damn late. What is it about conflict of interest that these fools can't seem to understand. If this was the NDP, the media would be all over this story. It would have legs all the way to the hangman. You should now withdraw all your decisions on the matter and demand another special prosecutor start from the beginning. A prosecutor with no liberal connections that is. Shheesh what a maroon!
wstander
3 years ago
WOW
“Several weeks before charge approval, I was asked by the RCMP whether I felt there was a conflict of interest due to my firm making a campaign contribution. I provided my opinion that I did not feel there was a conflict.
Well, there is one silver lining. Presumably the Libs won't be asking Robertson to be a special prosecutor in any future conflict of interest cases.
Although, on reconsideration, maybe his behaviour would cinch the job for him.