MONTREAL - Premier Jean Charest found himself in denial mode Thursday after a Radio-Canada report suggested that he arranged for the plug to be pulled on a police investigation of a Liberal supporter named Eddy Brandone in 2009.
Charest expressed outrage with the report and denied any such meddling took place.
“I read the story and found it appalling. As premier, I have never been informed of police investigations and never been involved in police investigations,” he said.
Pauline Marois weighed in on the issue while campaigning in Charlevoix, describing the accusations as “very disturbing.” She said that Charest should explain his relationship with Brandone. "It smells like a scandal," she said.
Brandone is a longtime Liberal Party donor and was Secretary-Treasurer at F.T.Q. Construction, which was being investigated in connection to alleged fraud and illegal spending.
Radio-Canada claimed in its report that the provincial Surete de Quebec police began watching Brandone in March 2009 but the operation was abruptly suspended after Brandone spoke briefly with the premier at a political event in Dorval.
Charest denied it all when asked Thursday.
“Radio-Canada-CBC made a choice to go ahead with this report that, from an ethical point of view, I think is terrible,” said Charest.
“My conscious is clear this morning and I don't think that's the case for the journalists,” he said.
The Surete de Quebec also denied that there was any political interference in any investigation.
"The Surete du Quebec is completely independent when it comes to criminal investigations. No one is above the law, and no one is immune to criminal investigations,” said Lt. Guy Lapointe.
CAQ leader Francois Legault said that Charest should be more forthcoming with his details of the event.
“I accept Mr. Charest saying that he's not the one who gave this order, but he has to tell us who gave the order,” said Legault.
-With files from The Canadian Press
