UCP aiding RCMP probe of leadership race allegations: Kenney

UCP Leader Jason Kenney says he doesn’t know what questions the RCMP is asking his party about allegations related to the 2017 leadership race and that he hasn’t been contacted personally.

“I don’t have detailed information on that,” he told reporters Thursday. “I directed our party legal representative to reach out when we heard about a complaint to the RCMP and he offered on behalf of the party any assistance or co-operation.

“I understand they’ve had some discussion and the party will always be there to provide any information that’s requested of it.”

Kenney said his leadership campaign — which squared off against contenders Jeff Callaway, former Wildrose Party leader Brian Jean and Doug Schweitzer — rigorously complied with the rules.

“I have not been contacted personally or asked for an interview, but I would happily comply if I was,” Kenney said of the RCMP investigation.

Former party insiders have accused Kenney’s team of collaborating with Callaway’s campaign to sink Jean’s chances at winning the leadership race. The accusation is that Callaway targeted Jean during debates and media appearances, allowing Kenney to avoid making the attacks himself.

Callaway withdrew from the race just before the vote and endorsed Kenney. They have both denied making a deal.

There are allegations of irregular donations to Callaway’s campaign. Election Commissioner Lorne Gibson handed an investigation to the RCMP saying its seriousness transcended his purview. But there’s little information on what the RCMP probe is focusing on.

‘WE WROTE TO THE RCMP’

UCP executive director Janice Harrington said former party insiders Happy Mann and Prab Gill “have been spreading outright lies” about the leadership contest.

Mann is a former Wildrose candidate and former UCP nomination candidate, while former UCP MLA Gill left the party to sit as an independent after his own controversy related to allegations of ballot stuffing.

Both have made allegations related to the Callaway campaign, how it was financed and the leadership vote in 2017.

“Upon hearing that these lies were referred to the RCMP, we wrote to the RCMP to offer assistance in dispelling these lies once and for all,” Harrington said in a statement Wednesday, adding the RCMP have taken up the “offer of assistance.”

“The party is in the process of compiling and sharing information with the RCMP that demonstrates the integrity of the UCP leadership race, and that Happy Mann and Prab Gill are nothing more than disgraced and discredited individuals who should be treated as such.”

Kenney echoed those comments Thursday, saying Gill and Mann are “motivated by sour grapes.”

Earlier this month, leaked emails showed co-ordination between the Kenney and Callaway campaign teams, inflaming the issue.

NDP Leader Rachel Notley has repeatedly referenced the issue in her campaign speeches. Speaking in Calgary Thursday, she said it would be “troubling” to have a premier engaged in an RCMP investigation.

“It will actually, I believe, distract from the important things that a premier should be focused on,” she said.

ELECTION COMMISSIONER FINES TOTAL $35,500

Meanwhile Election Commissioner Gibson continues to slap fines on political donors who contributed to the Callaway campaign.

On Wednesday, he handed $9,000 in fines to Mann for three separate offences, including providing other people with funds for the purpose of contributing to Callaway and contributing to Callaway’s campaign with funds given or furnished by another person.

Earlier this month, political contributor Darcy McAllister was fined a total of $8,000 for similar offences.

In February, Cameron Davies, Callaway’s campaign manager, was slapped with a $15,000 fine for “obstruction of an investigation.”

UCP member Karen Brown was also fined $3,500 by the commissioner’s office for donating money to Callaway’s campaign that came from other people.