Mr. Chair, I would say that the Privy Council Office has been nothing but respectful of my independence and of any decision with respect to that appearance being my own.
I will tell you that in speaking to the Privy Council Office on March 11 with respect to issues about the nomination procedure—just factual issues—it was at that moment I realized that I was actually not the nominee. I had not been told I wasn't or that I was. I think that's a demonstration of the complete neutrality that I have been the beneficiary of, or subject to.
With respect to my absence on March 12, I received no advice as to what to do or what not to do, from anybody. Those were based on internal discussions based on my understanding or my misunderstanding of the purpose of my appearance on March 11. Again, I apologize for any confusion and take full responsibility for it.