Sen. Mike Duffy says he would “be happy to cooperate” with any investigation looking into his Senate expenses, including the RCMP.
“I welcome that, Canadians deserve answers. I want to give them answers. And eventually, hopefully not too long, they will get the answers,” he said.
In his first fulsome remarks in public since the Senate scandal broke, the now-independent senator told reporters he has “no idea” if Prime Minister Stephen Harper knew about his deal with Nigel Wright to repay his $90,000 in housing expenses.
“I have no idea. I would find…I just don’t know,” said Duffy.
Duffy would not answer why Wright gave him the money and whether there was a deal to go easy on him in a Senate audit. He also refused to answer a question about whether he also received a Royal Bank loan: “Just wait for it all to come out.”
“There are bits and pieces out there. It should all be put together in one place. And there will be some place to do that,” he said.
He added, “That’s why we need a full and open inquiry so that it all gets aired and all the answers given.”
Talking calmly and looking jovial, Duffy talked to reporters for several minutes as they trailed him to his car. At one point he looked up and told a reporter, “Who are you by the way? You’re a new face around here.”
He also repeated his emailed statement that his actions regarding expenses do not merit criticism – pausing to read it off his BlackBerry.
Duffy dismissed the idea that he may resign from the upper chamber.
“Pfft,” he replied, turning his head.
When asked if he would stay in the Senate, Duffy said, “Of course I’m a senator. Why wouldn’t I?”
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