What happened – or allegedly happened – in the B.C. legislature ought to be revealed to the public.
Last week, Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Lenz and Clerk of the House Craig James were both placed on leave and abruptly marched out of the building.
So far, all we know is that Speaker and Abbotsford South (which includes a sliver of Langley) MLA Darryl Plecas launched an investigation of some kind earlier this year, the RCMP and special prosecutors were eventually brought in, and now Lenz and James are out.
Why? What are they accused of?
As usual in B.C., we have run into the broad and impenetrable wall of denial that seems to be flung up surrounding any investigation in this province.
Can’t comment, say Plecas and the leaders of the NDP and Liberals (both parties voted to remove Lenz and James). Ongoing RCMP investigation. Wouldn’t want to jeopardize it.
No one has explained why knowing broad, general outlines of an accusation might deep-six a police investigation.
If the RCMP and special prosecutors eventually find charges are warranted we’ll know a little more – but not much.
Can’t comment, everyone will say. It’s before the courts.
This is absurd. Two senior government officials were frog-marched out of their jobs by police. If there’s a suspicion any money was stolen, it was public money. If trust was broken, it was public trust.
And no one will give the slightest hint to the public what’s going on.
– M.C.