The former minister of justice calls an attempt to have the RCMP investigate whether he played a role in the decision to charge former RNC officer Joe Smyth with obstruction of justice after he stopped a motorcycle, laughable and beyond ridiculous.

Smyth fatally shot Don Dunphy in Mitchell’s Brook in 2015 but was never charged with any offence.

A leaked document references text communications of former minister Sherry Gambin Walsh and Acting RNC Inspector Paul Didham that were uncovered in an investigation into information being shared between the two.

Smyth has asked the RCMP to investigate.

RNC Chief Joe Boland rejects any contention that public officials exert influence over officers.

He says unequivocally Minister Parsons has never had any input into any decision either to start an investigation or interference in any investigation in relation to Constable Smyth.

Parsons, who would welcome an investigation, says Opposition Leader Ches Crosbie first raised the matter in the House of Assembly on Monday. He says it’s as a political smear job – an attempt to get at him.

Chief Joe Boland addressed the situation at RNC headquarters in St. John’s earlier today.

Boland reaffirmed that there was no political interference in regards to Smyth’s situation.

Boland says he wants to hammer home the message that the public can trust in the system.

He wants the public to have confidence that political officials have “absolutely no input” into criminal investigations.

Earlier Story
A leaked document indicates provincial cabinet minister Andrew Parsons is the subject of a complaint.

The complaint comes from the former RNC Officer who was at the centre of the Donald Dunphy shooting back in 2015, Joe Smyth.

The document references text communications of former Minister Sherry Gambin Walsh and Acting RNC Inspector Paul Didham, that were uncovered in an investigation into information being shared between the two.

A screenshot obtained by VOCM News shows the specific exchange that has lead Smyth to make the complaint.

In the series of messages sent to Didham in March 2019, Gambin Walsh alleges that then Justice Minister Andrew Parsons “played a part” in having Smyth charged with obstruction of justice in connection with a 2017 traffic stop.

The complaint, which is addressed to the Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP, Ches Parsons, requests that there be a formal investigation into the matter.

VOCM has reached out Premier Andrew Furey, he says he has ‘nothing to add to this’.