The Prime Minister’s Office just moments ago released David Johnston’s report on the terms of reference for an inquiry into the Mulroney-Schreiber affair.
As my colleague Robert Fife reported last night on CTV National News, Johnston is recommending a narrow inquiry that should not start until after the House of Commons ethics committee concludes their investigation. Moreoever, Johnston is recommending that Prime Minister Harper may choose not to proceed with an inquiry if he is satisfied with the work of the Commons committee. Harper has decided to proceed with an inquiry and will wait for the Ethics Committee to wrap things up:
“I would like to thank Professor David Johnston for his impartial advice on how the Government should proceed.
After reviewing the report and consulting Professor Johnston, the Government has decided to convene a public inquiry once the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics has finished its hearings.
This will ensure that the public inquiry will usefully build on any testimony heard by the Ethics Committee.
I have also asked Professor Johnston to finalize his recommendations on the terms of reference for the public inquiry on an expedited basis once the Committee has completed its work. I am pleased that he has agreed to do so.”
Read the full report from Johnston here.