Hush surrounds allegations in PMO

While the Trudeau Liberals like to tout a zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior or sexual harassment, the prime minister appears more willing to keep alleged indiscretions within his own inner circle on the down-low.

Only now are we hearing, via the Frenchlanguage television network TVA, that the deputy director of operations in the Prime Minister’s Office has been on forced leave since early November.

While it was perfectly acceptable for Justin Trudeau to publicly oust two Liberal MPs, Scott Andrews and Massimo Pacetti, from his caucus for sexual harassment to score political and feminist points during his election run, he was apparently not so willing to expose PMO senior staffer, Claude-Eric Gagne, to public humiliation.

Why, exactly, is Gagne being investigated? And what is the nature of his alleged misconduct? Well, the PMO isn’t saying.

In fact, it initially wouldn’t identify Gagne and, even after Gagne’s name was confirmed, the PMO would not release any details of the allegations, other than it involved “inappropriate behaviour” involving an undisclosed number of women.

One? Two? More ? No comment.

The PMO’s director of communications, Kate Purchase, used a time-honoured line to add nothing: “Given the investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further in order to protect the integrity of the process, and ensure fairness for the parties.”

Keeping this hush-hush for almost two months, particularly with sexual harassment allegations at the top of the news, was no mean feat. The PMO almost pulled it off.

When the House of Commons returns on Jan. 29, former Liberal cabinet minister Hunter Tootoo will still be sitting as an Independent after he was forced out of the Liberal caucus following allegations of inappropriate behaviour with a female staffer.

Even after going off the grog, and putting himself through the spin dry of an alcohol addiction treatment program, Tootoo remains on the outside looking in.

Liberal Calgary MP Darshan Kang removed himself from caucus after a female constituency staffer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

Claude-Eric Gagne, however, is no ordinary schmo. At the PMO, he is considered by political observers as one of the more influential Quebecers in Trudeau’s inner circle, as well as the Liberal Party.

Andrews? Defeated in the 2015 election. Pacetti? Didn’t seek re-election. Gagne? Nothing more to see here. Time to move on.