Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Pugliese, like Ms. O'Connell, I understand that you are confused by the fact that, when this happened on October 24, no committee member seemed to stand up for you or question Mr. Alexander's comments. I was trying to understand what was going on, and I may not have understood the seriousness of the allegations. I also didn't have access to the documents.
However, on our end, we were dealing with a former minister who now works for a credible organization, so he's a fairly credible individual who presented allegations and seemed to have proof. In short, it was something new. I even wondered, at the time it happened, if it was something already known that I didn't know about. I didn't know you.
So the situation is a bit unique.
I'm glad the committee is giving you the opportunity to tell your side of the story and set the record straight, because the accusations that have been levelled at you are indeed quite serious.
The Global News network seems to have been looking at this in consultation with experts. According to them, the documents that were presented by Mr. Alexander seem legitimate. However, that doesn't suggest that you would be a Russian spy or that you would work for Russia, but perhaps the KGB would simply have an eye on you, as it had an eye on a number of people a few years ago, likely journalists or persons of interest in Canada.
So when we see the analysis of these people, it doesn't show that he did anything, but perhaps the KGB had an interest in that person.
Could you tell us why you think the KGB would have been interested in you?