Kash Heed said he decided to step down again from his position as solicitor general after discussing yesterday's events with his wife last night.
“What occurred late yesterday afternoon is absolutely bizarre,” said Heed. “I never ever would have predicted that.”
On Monday special prosecutor Terrence Robertson released a report exonerating Heed in an investigation into his campaign's actions during the May, 2009, election campaign. Criminal and Election Act charges were laid against three men, including Heed's campaign manager Barinder Sall and financial agent Satpal Johl.
On Tuesday premier Gordon Campbell, who is in Europe, reappointed Heed to cabinet, citing Robertson's report.
A short time later Robertson withdrew from the case, saying his law firm, Harper Grey, had donated $1,000 to Heed's campaign and that he had realized in hindsight it was a conflict for him to work on the file.
At 8 p.m. Tuesday night Lieutenant Governor Steven Point swore Heed back into cabinet.
This morning Heed stepped down again, calling the Premier sometime around 8:15 a.m. to tell him his decision.
“I've maintained my integrity throughout my entire career, through my entire life, the value's my mother instilled in me, and I'm going to maintain that integrity, and that is to step aside, get this matter dealt with, get those recommendations, findings confirmed,” Heed told reporters this morning.
He said he spoke with his wife yesterday evening, made the decision last night and reached the premier this morning to tell him.
“You've been fair to me all along,” Heed told reporters. “You've continued to be fair, so I thought it was important I come in front of you, since I've been in front of you guys so often the last little while, that I tell you how I feel. I must admit I'm disappointed but I'm confident I've done nothing wrong.”
He added, “I'm sure I'll be back in front of you guys shortly.”
UPDATE: Premier Gordon Campbell announced attorney general and government house leader Michael de Jong will be appointed solicitor general while retaining his current positions.
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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NicS
2 years ago
Finally, Kash Heed does the right thing
I had very little respect for Heed or the Liberals before. I now have a little for Mr. Heed.
morechatter
2 years ago
Heed Had No Choices
What is there to respect as Minister of Public Safety he had to exonoarated of any wrong doing and not by someone doing something wrong as the whole justice system is under public scrutiny? Do you respect that the man will do any low down thing to get in office and hires just the kinda low lifes to do the job as he wins election unfairly. [EDITED FOR LEGAL CONCERNS. -MODERATOR.]
Skywalker
2 years ago
Questions that need answers.
Who appointed the special prosecutor? Who chose the law firm? Did they know that the firm was a supporter and made donations to the liberals an Heed? What did they know and when did they know it?
Ed Seedhouse
2 years ago
The appearance of corruption.
"What did they know and when did they know it" is indeed the pointed question here. We find that someone in government hired a special prosecutor in a political matter to investigate a member his firm had donated to. If this was done deliberately and with foreknowledge, it is quite plainly and simply a corrupt act.
It is now incumbent on the government to properly investigate the process that resulted in hiring a prosecutor with a clear conflict of interest. This presents the clear appearance of a cover-up and the public must be assured that no such thing occurred. And if it did occur more heads must roll, and that quickly.
There is a clear appearance of corruption here which must be investigated immediately. If they do not do it, the press must.
freebear
2 years ago
Gordo didn't make the decision this time?
Heed only spoke with his wife before deciding?
Really?
If this is true sure makes an ass out of the Premier.
Then again Gordo is already great at being an ass!
alive
2 years ago
Opportunity?
This is a great opportunity for some lawfirm to ingratiate themselves to the Liberals!
All they have to do is to find Kash innocent in a new "investigation" and they are in the clover! --- untill the next election!
DPL
2 years ago
It would be nicwe to know
It would be nicwe to know who placed the calls to Gordo( doing something in the Netherlands. Lookings for photo ops and staying well away from the legislature). Dollars to donuts it was Dejong calling Gordo who told the disgraced cop to shift back to the backbence. As Hees keeps saying" I did nothing wrong" Of course we believe you , heck you were a cop so would know, "snicker"
Buck Futter
2 years ago
We continue...
to be the laughing stock of Canada.
NicS
2 years ago
Did Campbell take one for Heed?
After all, if Heed, the former AG, is cleared by the special prosecutor, then reinstated by our Premier! Well, then he must be innocent of any election fraud!
I said above that I now had a little respect for Heed for stepping down. But I now feel like that is exactly how we were played. I have no respect left for anyone in the Campbell/BC Liberal Gov't now.
If the AG was charged and found guilty of election fraud, how would that effect the election results. Better yet, how would that effect the HST recall! Seems I just answered my own question.
It must be a sign to get busy signing up voters on those recall lists.
morechatter
2 years ago
Its Getting Really Weird Now
Latest Robertson's figures don't add up, surprise, surprise as the $1000.00 was right out of his own pocket, and his firm well they have contributed $24,000.00 to the Liberals in total. Now if your talking respect for Heed stepping down because he had won his seat unfairly despite the fact he had no knowledge. In fact no one down at the justice department seems to know anyting as Attorney General said we had "No Idea". What a clueless lot, just the what a corrupt politician would insist upon, disorder in headquarters. Drunks like to keep things in chaos to.
morechatter
2 years ago
Headquarters says no election will be called
Because as Liberals we don't care how we win, just that we win. Now thats what HEADQUARTERS IS saying so apparently Heed is not the only one who would resort to anything to win a seat and stay in power, ITS THE ENTIRE PARTY. TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER, SOMETHING TELLS ME HE IS BEHIND IT ALL.