Tories blast OPP commissioner´s `unfounded allegations´ about Taverner hiring
(The Star Toronto Raptors)

Premier Doug Ford’s government is blasting interim OPP Commissioner Brad Blair for formally complaining to the Ontario ombudsman about the controversial hiring of Ron Taverner to helm the force.But NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is urging Taverner, who is to be sworn in Monday as Ontario Provincial Police commissioner, to temporarily stand down.Horwath on Thursday called upon the RCMP to investigate Blair’s “allegations of political interference by Doug Ford� and the premier’s office’s apparent desire to have taxpayers foot the tab for a customized “pimped-out ride� for Ford.Despite the political heat, Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said the Progressive Conservatives are sticking with Taverner, a 72-year-old Toronto police superintendent and long-time Ford pal. “We are not going to comment on Mr. Blair’s motivations for using the office he holds to raise these issues. We will explore the appropriate venue to review the content of a letter that we fully and completely dispute,� Jones said in a statement. “The government stands by the process leading to the appointment of Mr. Taverner as the next commissioner of the OPP. Mr. Taverner has more than 50 years of exemplary police service. It is unfortunate that this service has been unfairly maligned by unfounded allegations about the appointment process,� the minister said. “We would respect any decision made by the ombudsman about an inquiry into this matter and would co-operate with any such review.�Jones’ 10:15 a.m. statement was the first government comment after more than 14 hours of silence from Ford’s embattled administration.The premier himself ducked reporters after a brief speech to the Toronto Global Forum at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and was holed up in his Queen’s Park office later in the day.“When you’re the premier of the province and you’re running and hiding from the me ...