New allegations of Chinese interference | An elected official denies having asked to wait before releasing the two Michaels

(OTTAWA) Splashed by explosive allegations that he advised a Chinese consul to delay the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor to benefit his party politically, Liberal MP Han Dong is stepping down from caucus.

The elected official spoke late Wednesday evening in front of a House of Commons with sparse benches to announce that he would now sit as an independent deputy. In a speech that he concluded in tears, he categorically denied having suggested to a senior official to postpone the release of the two Michaels.

“As a parliamentarian and as a person, I have never – and never would have – supported or advocated for the violation of the fundamental rights of any Canadian, or anyone, anywhere, period”, did he declare.

“I want to assure Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig and their family that I did nothing to cause them any harm. Like all members of this House, I have worked hard to defend their interests,” the Ontario MP also swore, assuring that the allegations against him were “false.”

If Han Dong decided to bow out, it was to avoid being a distraction, he stressed: “I will continue to serve my constituents in Don Valley North as an independent member of this House. […] to ensure that the business of government and Parliament is not disrupted. »

Global News report

A few hours earlier, on the strength of two confidential sources, the Global News network had reported that the elected official had suggested to the Chinese consul general in Toronto that Beijing wait before releasing the two Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were detained arbitrarily in China. The Press could not independently confirm this information.

According to this report, the MP told diplomat Han Tao in February 2021 that their release could benefit the Conservative Party of Canada, whose then-leader Erin O’Toole advocated a tougher approach to the regime. by Xi Jinping.

A spokeswoman for Canadian Prime Minister Alison Murphy told Global News that the existence of the interview was unknown to them so far, and that Han Dong had never acted as an unofficial negotiator (” back channel “) government in this matter.

“Extremely serious allegations”

“Although the authorities and the law will later have to dispose of the serious allegations of which the deputy Han Dong is the object, it is indeed necessary that he no longer sits in the liberal caucus, and possibly even in the Parliament”, reacted the Bloc leader, Yves-François Blanchet, late Wednesday evening.

The New Democrat leader, Jagmeet Singh, demanded that Justin Trudeau chase the chosen one from his caucus.

“These are extremely serious allegations. If that is true, the safety of Canadians has been put at risk for political purposes. Prime Minister Trudeau must remove Han Dong from caucus and these allegations must be fully investigated,” he wrote ahead of the principal’s announcement.

“This is serious information of actions that threaten the foundation of our Canadian democracy. The hiding places must be stopped. We must stop the cover-up, ”reacted the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, on Twitter.

“If this is true, it borders on treason”

The two Michaels were arrested in Beijing in December 2018 a few days after the arrest in Canada, at the request of the United States, of the financial director of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, Meng Wanzhou.

On September 24, a few days after being re-elected, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the two men were returning to Canada after more than 1,000 days spent behind bars. Their release came after the British Columbia Supreme Court agreed to release Ms.^me Meng.

“If it’s true that Han Dong said that, he’s someone dishonorable, and then we can almost say that it’s starting to border on treason,” said Guy Saint-Jacques, who was ambassador, in an interview. of Canada in China from 2012 to 2016.

The allegations pile up

This is not the first time that Han Dong’s ties with China have made headlines. In late February, Global News reported that the Chinese Communist Party had maneuvered to favor its victory in the race for the Liberal nomination in the riding of Don Valley North.

Prime Minister Trudeau has come to the defense of his MP more than once.

But the accumulation of allegations targeting him is beginning to weigh heavily, notes Guy Saint-Jacques: “There are several questions that arise about Han Dong […]. Soon, we will have to buy a lie detector and connect a lot of people in Ottawa on it. »

Opposition parties in Ottawa are united in calling for a public and independent inquiry into Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections. Former Governor General David Johnston has been tasked with deciding as as Justin Trudeau’s special rapporteur; his verdict is expected by May 23.