Duffy’s Senate testimony explosive

Senator Mike Duffy told the Senate chamber that Prime Minister Stephen Harper ordered him to repay $90,000 in disallowed housing allowance claims.

Tuesday, Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau sat in the chamber together as the government senate leader formally moved that the former conservative colleagues be suspended, without pay, for “gross negligence.”

Duffy told the chamber about a meeting in February with Harper and his then Chief of Staff, Nigel Wright, where the three men discussed the controversy. Duffy says when he complained that he couldn’t afford to pay the money back, Wright said he would write the cheque. Duffy does not, however, make it clear whether Harper was aware of the arrangement to have Wright cover the expenses.

Duffy and Wallin have threatened to challenge the move to have them suspended without pay in court, and a number of Conservative and Liberal senators are also resisting the move, saying it amounts to finding them guilty before they’ve been charged of any crime.

Jim Munson is a Liberal Senator: I believe in fairness, I believe in due dilligence. I also believe in due process. And I will vote against this Conservative motion. It’s a simple as that.”

Hugh Segal is a Conservative Senator: The rule of law, presumption of innocence are true Canadian and Conservative values. I don’t intend to desert them for any reason. I think I don’t question anybodys motivation. I think the government leader is responding to public anger about the misspending of public funds. He is trying to reflect that anger, reflect the vierw that the Senate should be tough on folks who do not observe the rules. I think that’s what he’s trying to do. I just disagree with the instrument he’s chosen.”

While introducing the motion, the Senate Leader cited numerous court rulings, maintaining the senate has the exclusive power to govern its own internal affairs and to impose sanctions on those who break its rules.

They’ll be no vote Tuesday as the Senate has adjourned until Wednesday at 2pm when Pamela Wallin is expected to speak.