Justin Trudeau deflects questions about judicial inquiry as NDP motion looms
(The Star Food)

OTTAWA – Justin Trudeau and a key Liberal caucus leader are attempting to cast doubt on the need for a judicial inquiry into allegations of political interference by the Prime Minister’s Office in the bribery and fraud trial of SNC-Lavalin.Hours before a formal vote on an NDP motion demanding an inquiry, the prime minister entered a Liberal caucus meeting shortly after former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould — whose silence on whether she was pressured by the PMO has bedevilled the Trudeau government.Trudeau dismissed suggestions by the Opposition that there was a coverup in the making when he allowed Wilson-Raybould to address cabinet a day earlier. He said it was important that ministers heard her viewpoint.“I think it’s extremely important that everyone have an opportunity to hear the different perspectives in this situation,� Trudeau said. “That’s why we welcomed her going forward to the parliamentary committee and that’s why frankly we are getting advice from the current attorney general and she’s getting advice from her counsel about what can be talked about that’s not covered by privilege,� he said.“At the same time obviously she had asked to speak to her former cabinet colleagues and that’s exactly what she did.�Wednesday’s caucus, like an emergency teleconference call last week, was restricted to MPs only, with no staff permitted to attend as the Liberals grapple with one of the most serious crises to hit the government — one that has cost it a cabinet minister and Trudeau’s principal secretary, Gerald Butts.Trudeau was expected to address the issue again with his MPs, an official said.Speaking to reporters, Trudeau deflected questions whether a public inquiry was needed, suggesting an investigation by the federal ethics commissioner and hearings by the Commons’ justice committee were sufficient.“The parliamentary committee is sei ...