Prime Minister Stephen Harper removed Brazeau, 38, from caucus Thursday in relation to an incident at his Gatineau, Que. home, which local police were considering a crime scene as they prepared to search the premises and interview the man they had in custody.
“I think our understanding is these are matters of a personal nature rather than senate business, but they are very serious and we expect they will be dealt with through the courts,” Harper said in the House of Commons on Thursday in response to a question about the Quebec senator.
Gatineau Police Const. Pierre Lanthier told reporters Thursday afternoon the investigation was continuing and that no charges had been laid, but that police were objecting to his release and expected to keep him in jail for the night.
Lanthier, who did not identify Brazeau by name and would say nothing specific about the incident or the alleged victim, said if police ended up laying charges, Brazeau would appear in court at 9 a.m. on Friday.
The news of his removal from caucus came like a bolt out of the blue around noon as Conservative senators received a notice from Government Senate Leader Marjory LeBreton announcing his departure from the fold was effective immediately.
“No reason given,” said Lorraine Rochon, a staffer in his office, as she confirmed the notice. But the reason would become obvious soon enough.
A senior government official said Harper reacted strongly and quickly to allegations of domestic violence.
“The prime minister was appalled and saddened when he heard the allegations and took immediate action,” said the source.
Parliament Hill was already buzzing about Brazeau — who has made his share of controversial headlines since being appointed senator in December 2008 — following a CTV News report the night before.
The report said that from 2004 to 2008, Brazeau had used the address of his now former father-in-law, who lives on the Kitigan Zibi First Nation reserve in Quebec, to claim an aboriginal tax exemption. The former father-in-law said in the report he was not aware of that.
That night, Brazeau took to Twitter to accuse CTV News reporter Robert Fife of racism and never having anything positive to say about First Nations.
“If (the CTV) report is so important/relevant/factual, I’m sure they will look for me tomorrow in Parliament,” Brazeau tweeted at 9:59 p.m. on Wednesday.
If police end up pressing charges, it could be a while before Brazeau is seen on Parliament Hill again, where Rochon said he will sit as an Independent.
Liberal MP Ralph Goodale (Wascana) said the Senate should act swiftly.
“The Senate will have to determine the facts as quickly and expeditiously as they can and they should make sure that there’s no delay in shouldering their responsibilities,” Goodale told reporters after question period Thursday.
Under Senate rules, once a senator informs the clerk they have been charged with an indictable offence, they are placed on a leave of absence “until the charge is withdrawn, the proceedings are stayed or the senator is convicted, acquitted or discharged.”
The senator may show up for Senate sittings once per session in order to avoid facing being disqualified for absenteeism and will continue to receive a salary until he or she is suspended, which would happen at the time of sentencing following a conviction.
The Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy also has the right to suspend the use of senate resources for anyone on leave of absence for this reason, including “funds, goods, services, premises, moving, transportation, travel and communications.”
A suspension would continue until a conviction was overturned, the sentence “discharged on appeal,” or the senate declares the seat vacant.
New Democrat MP Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay) said during question period that given earlier allegations that Brazeau billed the Senate inappropriately for living expenses, kicking Brazeau out of caucus does not go far enough.
“When is the Conservative government going to take responsibility for Mr. Brazeau, kick him out of the Senate and get every taxpayer’s dime back?” Angus said in question period.
Original Article
Source: thestar.com
Author: Joanna Smith
No comments:
Post a Comment