NDP calls on Prentice to withdraw remarks

PC Leader Jim Prentice appears to have prejudiced the independence of a criminal investigation into the conduct of his Cabinet colleague, Naresh Bhardwaj.

“The Edmonton police must be permitted to investigate this matter without influence or pressure from the outgoing premier,” said NDP candidate for Beverly-Clareview, Deron Bilous. “I call on Mr. Prentice to withdraw his remarks, to apologize for making them, and to commit to avoid any further interference in this investigation.”

According to the Edmonton Journal, last night Mr. Prentice said: “I believe at the end of the day Mr. Bhardwaj will be totally innocent.”

Edmonton police are investigating Mr. Bhardwaj’s conduct related to alleged improper payments associated with a PC nomination.

“Premiers, even in their last weeks in office, must not interfere with the justice system, especially when he is in a direct conflict of interest, as Mr. Prentice is in this case, an investigation related to a cabinet colleague. Mr. Prentice might get away with interfering in investigations within his own party, but not with the justice system,” said Bilous,