Mr. Speaker, as the RCMP closes in on the former chief of staff to the Conservative Prime Minister and prepares to lay criminal charges, most senior Conservatives are only now trying to distance themselves from their old friend Nigel Wright.
When this scandal first broke and Nigel Wright allegedly resigned, Conservatives were lining up to praise him. The Minister of Industry said:
Nigel Wright is a great Canadian. Canada is stronger because of his service as Chief of Staff to our Prime Minister.
The Minister of Public Safety lamented:
Saddened by the departure of an honest and loyal public servant. Thank you Nigel for your service to our nation.
The Minister of Democratic Reform also mourned the loss of Mr. Wright. He said:
Saddened to hear of Nigel Wright's departure. He is an honourable man, and great Canadian.
When Canadians first learned about Nigel Wright's secret $90,000 payment to Senator Duffy, applaud as they might, they are now outraged by the corruption in the PMO—