Harper sticks to his story under barrage of questions in QP

OTTAWA – When did he learn about Nigel Wright’s deal with Mike Duffy? What directives did he give Wright? And has he seen the $90,000 cheque?

Prime Minister Stephen Harper faced pointed questions from the opposition Tuesday in his first question period since Wright, his former chief of staff, resigned amid an ongoing Senate expenses scandal.

Harper, recently returned from South America, stuck to the account he gave reporters last week, saying he knew nothing beforehand of Wright’s decision to give Duffy $90,000 so he could repay improper expense claims.

Read more: Harper faces questions about Senate expense scandal in House of Commons

He said he learned only of the payment on May 15, when Wright told him what he had done – even though the Prime Minister’s Office provided a statement to CTV the day before which said no taxpayer resources were used.

“This matter came to my attention two weeks ago after speculation appeared in the media,” Harper said.

“On Wednesday, May 15, I was told about it. At that very moment, I demanded that my office ensure that the public was informed, and they were informed appropriately.”

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair demanded to see a copy of the cheque, and asked why Wright resigned only the following Sunday.

“What changed, Mr. Speaker, between the time that the Prime Minister expressed his total, absolute support of Nigel Wright, and the moment that he accepted his resignation just three days later? What changed?”

Harper replied that Mr. Wright accepted full responsibility for his error.

“He offered his resignation and I accepted that resignation,” he said.

“As we know, he will be subject to an examination by the Ethics Commissioner, and that is the accountability mechanism that we have put in place for these kinds of things.”

Watch the video below: Liberals ask Harper to disclose all info relating to Duffy scandal

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau asked the prime minister for all records about the Wright-Duffy affair from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“These are questions to which Canadians have been asking for answers, and they deserve those answers directly from the prime minister,” said Trudeau.

“Will the prime minister commit to having everyone involved in this affair, including himself, testify about their involvement in a public forum, under oath?”

Harper says it’s all a matter between Duffy and Wright, who the prime minister admits made a “very serious error.”

– With files from the Canadian Press