The Hook

Premier Gordon Campbell’s chief of staff strongly denied defence allegations Thursday that B.C. Liberal Party insider Patrick Kinsella was working for both sides at the time of the $1 billion sale of B.C. Rail to CN Rail.

Martyn Brown denied repeated allegations from a lawyer representing one of three former government aides facing corruption charges related to the sale, that Kinsella was “working both ends” in the $1 billion deal.

Brown responded that Kinsella was not only not a lobbyist but was “one of the most community-minded, giving, considerate people that I know who cares very deeply about the future of the government in British Columbia - not just in British Columbia but Canada, who has an active role in politics and supporting government of his political persuasion.”

But Michael Bolton, representing David Basi, alleged that Brown did nothing to determine if NDP opposition charges in the B.C. Legislature about Kinsella – co-chair of the B.C. Liberal 2005 election campaign – were accurate.

“I'm going to suggest to you that it did not suit your purpose or the premier’s purpose to find anything out about that because that’s just what you wanted – you wanted him to be working both ends because the plan was to sell B.C. Rail to CN Rail,” Bolton charged.

Brown rejected the allegation.

“You can suggest that – that’s effectively suggesting I’m being dishonest and I suppose it’s your right to suggest that from your position but the answer is the same – I gave you an honest answer,” Brown replied.

“I don’t recall any awareness of Mr. Kinsella’s role with B.C. Rail at that time. I don’t recall even the issue of him working for CN Rail, let alone B.C. Rail,” Brown said. “I don’t recall being quote ‘lobbied’ by Mr. Kinsella on anything.”

Kinsella was paid $297,000 by BC Rail between 2001 and 2005.

The tense exchange came on the ninth day of testimony from Brown, who was originally expected to be a witness for just two days.

The trial breaks until Tuesday June 22.

Bill Tieleman writes about the Basi-Virk trial for The Tyee and 24 Hours Vancouver. A version of this article first appeared on his blog.