RCMP move Duffy investigation to PMO as those with knowledge relocated

A few years ago, we were treated to a new low in Canada when the RCMP had to raid the offices of the Conservative Party of Canada in relation to an Elections Canada investigation. And now, the RCMP are eyeing the Conservative Prime Minister's Office as well.

We hear now that the PMO has confirmed the RCMP has asked them for information related to their investigation into a $90,000 payment former Harper chief of staff Nigel Wright made to Mike Duffy, who was facing a demand for repayment of improperly claimed expenses he charged to the Senate.

The RCMP have contacted the Prime Minister’s Office as part of its investigation of a secret payment to Sen. Mike Duffy.

A senior government official, who would only speak on condition of anonymity, said that investigators have officially asked Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office for information.

This follows a report last week that the RCMP had requested an e-mail from the PMO that allegedly outlined the terms of a deal for repayment between Wright and Duffy with other PMO staff members included on the chain, which would contradict the Harper line that only Wright had knowledge and was responsible for what transpired. The PMO was accused of dragging its feet on turning the e-mail over -- contradicting Harper's claims of full cooperation -- and denied it has received any request for information.

As the investigation moves closer to the PMO, it seems that those who may have direct knowledge of the deal -- and could contradict the Harper line that Wright acted alone -- have been quietly moved along.

In what would otherwise be an interesting set of coincidences, Of those with alleged direct knowledge of the e-mail, former PMO issues management director Chris Woodcock was moved to a minister's office,  one-time legal advisor Benjamin Perrin has returned to the private sector, and, of course, Wright himself got resigned. And while she hasn't been linked to the e-mail, Senator Marjory Lebreton resigned as government leader in the Senate just one day after being interviewed by the RCMP in relation to their Duffy investigation.

Lots of movement away from the centre as the RCMP investigation moves closer to the PMO. Could this be the first government to have both its party offices and its PMO raided by the RCMP? Suppose it depends on just how "cooperative" they choose to be.

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