‘Tone-deaf’: Singh slams Johnston’s decision to not step down as foreign interference rapporteur
EXCERPTED from CTV NEWS :Published June 1, 2023 12:40 p.m. ADT
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh slammed foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston’s refusal to heed the House of Commons’ call for him to step down as “tone-deaf.”
“With all due respect to the service of Mr. Johnston and his previous public service, I believe that his response to the vote on our motion is tone-deaf,” Singh said in a statement Thursday.
On Wednesday, the majority of MPs—all from opposition parties— passed a motion calling for Johnston to “step aside” after he recommended against a public inquiry, and in light of the “serious questions” raised about his mandate and conclusions.
Within an hour of the non-binding motion being passed, Johnston issued a statement asserting his intention to continue on with his work. He said that while he “deeply” respects the right of the House of Commons to “express its opinion about my work going forward” his mandate came from the government.
“I am very disappointed with the lack of understanding of the importance of such a vote calling for him to step aside and the rapidity with which he responded to this vote,” Singh said. “Going forward, I expect, it will be very difficult for Mr. Johnston.”
