Missing Women inquiry chief on leave during probe

The decision to have John Boddie, the executive director of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry, go on temporary leave should not be interpreted as meaning he was found to have behaved improperly, a lawyer advising the probe said Friday.

Peter Gall, one of two lawyers retained to examine new anonymous allegations about sexism and conflict among inquiry staff, said he recommended Boddie go on leave to ensure there could be no perception of any interference with the investigation. “This is not to suggest that Mr. Boddie would ever engage in such interference,” said Gall in a media statement.

Boddie, a former Vancouver police officer, went on paid leave as of Monday. It is unknown how long the investigation would take.

“I want to emphasize that Mr. Boddie has contributed greatly to the work of the Commission, and it is most unfortunate that his leave from his position is being interpreted in some quarters as a finding of wrongdoing on his part,” Gall said.

Gall said the leave was felt to be in the best interests of the inquiry during an investigation of allegations made this week in two National Post stories. The Post quoted anonymous sources who no longer worked for the inquiry, who said sexist and demeaning remarks were made in the inquiry office about sex workers.