Former premier Alison Redford has now responded to a report that she misused a government plane during her term in office, stating she is aware but has not read it.
A report, leaked on Tuesday, states that Redford’s staff block others from flying on government planes with her, going so far as falsifying passenger manifests by adding ‘false passengers’, but removing them just before departure.
Redford has denied the allegations, saying she would be surprised if they’re true.
“I also understand that the draft report makes clear that these were not practices that I had any knowledge of,” she said in a statement.
“It would not be true to suggest that I flew on the government plane alone. There was never any directive preventing others from flying on government aircraft when I was a passenger.”
Police say there is no active investigation involving the former premier. An official complaint would need to be filed for that to happen.
Duane Bratt, a political scientist at Mount Royal University, says this goes beyond politics.
“I think the RCMP needs to be called in. I ask that question, what's the difference between Mike Duffy padding his expenses and creating a false manifest so you can fly alone, repeatedly, one after the other, this is a pattern of behaviour, this isn't a one off,” said Bratt. “Imaginary passengers so she could fly alone with her daughter, that’s under a whole new scale.”
Bratt says he’s not surprised at the news and says it could be considered fraud. “Yea, I think so and I think the police need to be called in to ascertain that. I’m not a cop and I’m not a lawyer but it looks like it to me.”
Ric McIver and Thomas Lukaszuk both say that the proper authorities should look into the matter.
Lukaszuk also tweeted that if he is elected leader this September, he would ask caucus to consider removing Redford.
