UPDATE from BC Supreme Court - Basi-Virk Defence Disclosure Application
Monday April 23, 2007 1:30 p.m.
More shocking allegations today of heavy involvement in manipulating radio talk shows - right from the office of Premier Gordon Campbell.
Kevin McCullough, defence lawyer for former ministerial aide Bob Virk, said he was quoting from evidence disclosed by the Crown in preparation for the trial. He read from an email he alleged came from Mike Morton, who was and is Premier Campbell's press secretary.
"The first of these emails is from Mike Morton in the Premier's office. It's dated March 11, 2003," McCullough said.
" 'Thanks Dave - I'll let the Premier know your team is in place, whereas MM's is not. The Premier will be on John McComb's show - there will be a call-in,' " McCullough read in court.
In another document McCullough referred to Mike McDonald, the former BC Liberal Caucus Communications Director in Victoria.
" 'Dave's asking Mike if he want to make some calls to CKNW after the MLA is on,' " McCullough alleged.
Justice Elizabeth Bennett interjected: "Is this a Liberal MLA?"
McCullough: "Yes."
Bennett: " I should have known that."
McCullough also quoted a November 23, 2003 document alleging calls being set up to ambush NDP Leader Carole James.
"It's a call in response to Carole James - she's going to be on the Bill Good Show tomorrow - Mike asks him to 'get the posse together', " McCullough said.
"They're not just lobbing softball questions to the Premier - they're setting the stage for calls to the leader of the Opposition," McCullough alleged.
There was much, much more, including allegations that the RCMP and Special Prosecutor allowed key Crown witness Erik Bornmann to continue his lucrative lobbying business and falsely declare he had been cleared of any wrongdoing in 2004.
More on all of this in Tuesday's 24 hours newspaper and on The Tyee online publication, as well as right here.
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5 comments:
Bill:
Thanks again.
This reads like the script for a horror movie ... I keep wondering when somebody stands up and yells "I'm mad as hell and I'm not putting up with this any more!"
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I want to know the following, WHAT DID THE PREMIER KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT!!!!!!
The Premier knew what was going on the day the whole thing started, in fact, he is behind the whole dirty works, and is solely and totally responsible. In fact he is likely the instigator
Bill ... just finished reading your barn-burner on The Tyee and I'd like to correct my previous comment.
This is not the script for a horror story; no, it's starting to read like a comedy.
The part I like best is where Gordo is screaming at his Press Secretary for failing to hide behind the potted palm at a B.C. Liberal function ... gad zooks, you couldn't make up that conversation! "Lurk, man, lurk I tell you! Don't just sit down with the Pilothouse lobbyists and start eating and drinking like it's all just normal socializing! Well, yeah, I know it is, but not with the press around, don't you understand that! This is the War of the Worlds, you fool!"
Poor Berardino -- if he ever shows up in Courtroom 54 and gets his chance in the spotlight -- has a tough act to follow.
The Defence team is doing a brilliant job.
I don't know why the public gallery isn't packed with spectators.
Looking forward to your reports, Bill, and to rely upon them; many thanks. I think you're having a good effect upon the media in British Columbia ...
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Bill ... just finished reading your barn-burner on The Tyee and I'd like to correct my previous comment.
This is not the script for a horror story; no, it's starting to read like a comedy.
The part I like best is where Gordo is screaming at his Press Secretary for failing to hide behind the potted palm at a B.C. Liberal function ... gad zooks, you couldn't make up that conversation! "Lurk, man, lurk I tell you! Don't just sit down with the Pilothouse lobbyists and start eating and drinking like it's just socializing! This is the War of the Worlds, you fool!"
Poor Berardino -- if he ever shows up in Courtroom 54 and gets his chance in the spotlight -- has a tough act to follow.
The Defence team is doing a brilliant job.
I don't know why the public gallery isn't packed with spectators.
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