VICTORIA — The Opposition Liberals say the Speaker of the British Columbia legislature wanted his special adviser appointed acting sergeant-at-arms before two top officials were placed on administrative leave this week pending an investigation.
Liberal house leader Mary Polak released a sworn affidavit today saying Speaker Darryl Plecas told the three house leaders on Monday that he wanted Alan Mullen appointed the acting sergeant-at-arms.
Mullen has been the spokesman for the Speaker since the legislature voted Tuesday to place sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz and clerk of the house Craig James on administrative leave.
After the vote, Mullen said the RCMP has launched a criminal investigation, but neither the RCMP nor the B.C. Prosecution Service will confirm the nature of the police probe or say who they are investigating.
Polak says she didn't agree to the request from Plecas and NDP house leader Mike Farnworth agreed with her position.
Mullen said Wednesday he was hired in January by Plecas to work on issues of concern including the investigation at the legislature, and information was provided to the RCMP in August.
Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson says there are questions about Mullen's qualifications to lead such an investigation and the public is entitled to know the truth about events of this week.
Mullen could not immediately be reached for comment and Plecas was overseeing proceedings in the legislature.
The RCMP and the prosecution service have said there is an investigation at the legislature, but they have not said which officials are the subject of the police investigation.
Two special prosecutors were appointed Oct. 1 to help the RCMP in their investigation, but their appointments weren't made public until after the legislature voted to suspend Lenz and James on Tuesday.