HALIFAX – Andrew Younger has handed over the recording of the secretly taped conversation between he and Premier Stephen McNeil’s chief of staff, Kirby McVicar.
Younger, now an independent MLA, turned over the recording after at 8:30 a.m. Monday, along with a sworn affidavit.
LISTEN BELOW: Full recording of secretly taped conversation between Andrew Younger and Kirby McVicar. WARNING: Strong language is used in this recording.
In the recording, McVicar is heard saying that though trust was lost between the premier and Younger, they want him back in the mix, and he’s going to work hard to get him back.
READ MORE: Liberals demand full audio recording of Younger-McVicar conversation
“I want you to clearly understand, there is a path back…and I am on your side, and the premier understands your abilities, and understands you’re better serving us in cabinet,” McVicar is heard saying.
“So again, we’ve gone through some shit here, we need to spend some time, let that shit go away, and get you back. I’m committed to getting you back.”
He is also heard advising Younger of how to speak to media when returning to cabinet after his leave.
“They’re going to say ‘are you still…still expect to get back in cabinet?’ And you say ‘well…pleasure of the premier I’m still in executive council without portfolio, and I’m still taking time to deal with my personal issues…which is none of your f—in’ business,'” he said.
Kirby responds to audio recording
In response, McVicar explained to reporters on Monday that he doesn’t believe the recording represents their full conversation.
“It may or may not be the full audio recording but it is not the full conversation,” McVicar said.
In the recording, McVicar can be heard suggesting Younger’s wife could get a contract to help their family out with financial stresses.
McVicar says Younger had told him his wife was at risk of being laid off from her job.”
“At that time, I’m having a personal conversation with Mr. Younger whom I mistakenly trusted at the time. To have a personal confidential conversation about his future.” he said.
“He’s indicating to me the pressure his family is under and in that moment I thought there was a possibility I may be able to help and again no job was offered and no job was taken.”
Tape turned over to comply with warrant
“I understand what I have turned over is sufficient to satisfy the warrant and the matter is concluded,” an email Younger sent Global News reads.
Speaker of the House, Kevin Murphy, said that though Younger handed this over, they still don’t know that it is the entire recording.
“As far as we know this puts the member from Dartmouth-East in compliance with the warrant issued although it should be noted we have no way of verifying whether this is in fact the entire recording. It is a recording that is longer than the snippets previously provided,” he said.
Younger said he would not be commenting on the matter today, and that he did not want to comment, “in advance of seeing if this is in fact finally over.”
He also said that turning over the recording and affidavit, “took a lot of effort by many people,” who helped over the weekend to get everything together.
Younger was dismissed from the Liberal cabinet and caucus after controversy swirled around his refusal to testify in court after former Liberal staffer Tara Gault was charged with assaulting him.
A secret recording of the conversation between the minister and McVicar was released shortly after Younger’s dismissal. The conversation apparently took place in February.
WATCH BELOW: Warrant issued for Younger-McVicar recording
In a turn of events on Friday, a second segment of a secretly recorded conversation between Younger and McVicar was released.
In the recording, McVicar can be heard suggesting Younger’s wife could be given a personal services contract to make up for money lost during Younger’s leave from cabinet.
Opposition critical of Liberals
The provincial Progressive conservatives said in a statement on Monday that they had also received the recording, and had forwarded it to police.
They also say they want the Auditor General to investigate the “cloud of scandal” surrounding the distribution of personal services contracts the Liberal government gives out.
READ MORE: PCs want ‘cloud of scandal’ around Andrew Younger investigated
“The concern is the chief of staff in the premier’s office has been up to business that the premier is apparently unaware of, it’s unacceptable,” interim NDP leader Maureen MacDonald said Monday.
“All we’ve heard from Stephen McNeil is that Kirby McVicar is doing an excellent job for him and for the Liberal government.”
With files from Rebecca Lau
Comments