British Columbia Conservative Chief John Rustad said that party staff who allegedly allegedly did not want to provide a written declaration to the police who assess their complaints.
Rustad, whose opposition management is under examination in a one-month process that started last weekend, faced questions about his management of allegations against a group of former conservative deputies which he accused in a letter to his caucus.
The RCMP confirmed that the allegations were “under review and evaluation” after them invited them to investigate by the president of the Caucus of the NPD in power.
Rustad said in an interview that after consultations with party lawyers, conservative staff who made the complaints were made up for providing “a written declaration to present the information to the RCMP”.
“The staff involved was considered that he did not want to do this, and therefore I must respect their will, respect their rights to do what they want to do,” he said.
“They would prefer all this problem just to disappear and they will continue their lives.”
Get national news
For news that has an impact on Canada and worldwide, register for the safeguarding of news alerts that are delivered to you directly when they occur.
The three former conservative deputies, Dallas Brodie, Tara Armstrong and Jordan Kealy, all denied the accusations which, according to them, were to distract questions about the leadership of Rustad.
Brodie, who now directs the OneBC party that she trained with Armstrong, said on the social media platform X last week that Rustad “painted in a corner” with a “big lie” on the blackmail he could not justify.
The president of the NPD caucus, Stephanie Higginson, wrote to the GRC Commissioner Dwayne McDonald last week to ask the police to investigate, Prime Minister David Eby said Rustad had to take the allegations to the police, and if he did not do so, the NPD would do it.
Rustad’s letter to his Caucus said that former conservative deputies of British Columbia were trying to resume the party by threatening to disclose information compromising unless other deputies and party staff have joined them and what they wanted.
His treatment for blackmail allegations is examined while the party votes on its leadership in a marathon process which could last about six months.
Party executive director, Angelo Isidorou, said that the vote in person had taken place in three districts last weekend, and Rustad said that he expected the ballot to be completed in December, once members of the 93 circuits of British Columbia have participated.
Under the rules established by the Constitution of the Party, they are asked of the members if they “promote the current management” and if the approval of Rustad is 50% or less, the board of directors will organize an election of management.
Rustad said he was “quite optimistic” about the outcome of the vote, adding that he did not hear much negativity, except what he called a “very small group of dissidents”.
He said he had to “laugh” from the names of the alternative leaders who were floating on social networks.
Gavin Dew Conservative of British Columbia said that deputies were confident in Rustad leadership, but “also continue to have important conversations” on how to strengthen and develop the party.
Conservative deputies of British Columbia should meet for their regular Caucus meeting on Wednesday in Surrey, British Columbia,
Rustad said he expected that the allegations of blackmail appear in Reunion, although he does not anticipate “important problems”.
According to the party, the vote in the Leadership review has already taken place in three districts in the Kootenay region.
If Rustad’s support fails to exceed 50%, he will have to resign, the board of directors appointing an interim leader.
Under the constitution of the party approved during his last annual general meeting in Nanaimo, a party leader can only be withdrawn from his functions after the voluntary resignation, death, incapacity or an examination of leadership.
& Copy 2025 the Canadian press