Tories maintain Cadman tape was doctored

[JOE HUEGLIN]

Some folks never learn to leave well enough alone, do they.
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“We need not provide that evidence because it was already provided in court. It is proven that the tape was doctored, but happily the issue is resolved now,” Mr. Poilievre replied.
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Tories maintain Cadman tape was doctored
But Harper's parliamentary secretary refuses to repeat claim outside the Commons http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... itics/home

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CAMPBELL CLARK

CAMPBELL CLARK
Globe and Mail Update
February 13, 2009 at 4:20 PM EST

OTTAWA — The Conservatives are repeating allegations that a B.C. journalist doctored a tape of Stephen Harper talking about the Cadman affair – but only in places where they are protected from lawsuits.

MP Pierre Poilievre, the parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister, slipped out of the Commons by the back door Friday morning rather than take up the NDP's challenge that he repeat the claims outside the chamber. MPs cannot be sued for what they say in the Commons, but outside the door of the House, they have no special protection.

By the afternoon, The Canadian press reported that the journalist in question, Tom Zytaruk, was considering legal action nonetheless.

The tape in question records Mr. Harper, as opposition leader in 2005, talking about a financial offer from the Conservatives to Independent MP Chuck Cadman. Mr. Cadman, who was dying of cancer, held a crucial swing vote in the Commons that could have defeated Paul Martin's Liberal government.
Chuck Cadman
Enlarge Image

Independent member of parliament for Surrey North, Chuck Cadman, photographed at his in Surrey BC, on April 27, 2005. (Lyle Stafford/The Globe and Mail)
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The Globe and Mail

Last year, Mr. Harper and other Conservatives claimed that Mr. Zytaruk's recording of an interview with Mr. Harper for a biography of Mr. Cadman was doctored to insert questions that weren't asked and alter the meaning of Mr. Harper's answers.

They sued the Liberals for using the tapes for political attacks, with Mr. Harper warning they'd be sorry.

But late last Friday, Mr. Harper dropped the lawsuit.

In the Commons today, New Democrat MP Joe Comartin pressed the government to provide evidence that the tape was doctored, or apologize to Mr. Zytaruk for smearing his reputation.

“We need not provide that evidence because it was already provided in court. It is proven that the tape was doctored, but happily the issue is resolved now,” Mr. Poilievre replied.

An angry Mr. Comartin demanded that Mr. Polievre repeat the statement outside “so Mr. Zytaruk can sue him for maligning his reputation.”

Instead, Mr. Poilievre slipped out a back door and avoided reporters waiting to speak to him.

In fact, it was never proven in court that the tapes were doctored.

The Conservatives hired audio experts who suggested that the recording of Mr. Harper was doctored, but a court-appointed expert found it was not.

Mr. Harper withdrew the suit against the Liberals before the evidence was judged. And the Prime Minister never sued Mr. Zytaruk, even though Mr. Harper, his press secretary, Dimitri Soudas, and cabinet minister James Moore all claimed the tape was doctored.

Outside the Commons Friday, Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale said he could not comment, because the terms of the Liberals' settlement of the lawsuit preclude him from discussing the case.

“Mr. Poilievre, presumably using the protection of parliamentary privilege, made some remarks. Perhaps he should be pressed to explain himself,” Mr. Goodale said.

Mr. Comartin said after Question Period that he was actually surprised that the Conservatives would not repeat the statements because they know that Mr. Zytaruk does not have the money needed to sue senior Tories for defamation. The Conservatives just wanted to bury the allegations, and Mr. Zytaruk's reputation was the victim, the MP said.

“I've looked at this to see if there's the resources we could find to get him assistance but unless some lawyers are prepared to do it on a pro bono basis, he's a victim of this process.”

[Lionhead]

Why, Joe.

Still no life??

[RedDog]

Forget Cadman.

What about the punk messiah's birth certificate and mountain of contradictory declarations about his origins - from his own family members?

[JOE HUEGLIN]

Surrey Now articles

These men both owe the Now an apology
A NOW EDITORIAL: Tory MPs just want the Zytaruk tape affair to just fade away into oblivion but for democracy's sake, we can't let that happen http://www2.canada.com/surreynow/news/s ... 7926536580

Oh, James!
What happened to the self-assured MP who uttered these words? And when can we expect an apology?
http://www2.canada.com/surreynow/news/v ... 0816c6d16e

At least Moore's accuser had the class to apologize
http://www2.canada.com/surreynow/news/s ... 81d474af4d

[Peter O'Donnell]

I would let it go. At best, it's a misunderstanding. At worst, it's a misguided effort to be kind to a dying man.

This is not the worst thing Harper ever did. Bailing out on Section 13 repeal is.