Allegations of political interference in the decision to lay a charge against a former RNC officer after he stopped a motorcycle continue to draw swift reaction in justice circles.
Then-RNC officer Joe 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 whether then-Justice Minister Andrew Parsons had something to do with the decision to charge him with obstruction of justice following the traffic stop.
RNC Chief Joe Boland rejects any contention that public officials exert any influence over officers.
Chief Boland says Parsons had absolutely no role to play in any criminal case pursued by the RNC.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Lloyd Strickland, says such accusations are an affront to the integrity of public prosecutions and the Crown attorneys that dutifully serve the public. He decided to proceed with a criminal charge after reviewing a report by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.
Parsons calls the accusation laughable and beyond ridiculous. The first he heard of it was Monday when
Opposition Leader Ches Crosbie raised it in the House of Assembly.
Parsons calls it a political stunt and smear job to get at him.
Meanwhile, Crosbie wants the Premier to address the matter and is calling on Boland and Parsons to step aside until the RCMP have dealt with the complaint.
