QUEBEC -- Quebec's international relations minister is apologizing to her Parti Quebecois predecessor for comments she made about his frequent trips to France.
Jean-Francois Lisee threatened on Tuesday to sue Christine St-Pierre if she didn't retract her remarks within a week.
St-Pierre recently raised doubts about Lisee's integrity, saying he abused his position on his official trips to France.
Lisee's wife and children live near Paris and he visited them during missions and trips to the French capital during the 18 months he held the post.
Speaking to reporters in Quebec City today, St-Pierre apologized to Lisee and his family and said it was not her intention to hurt them.
She says her department will continue to examine Lisee's trips abroad and that he will receive a report when it is ready.
Lisee said in a TV interview that he accepts St-Pierre's apology and will not seek legal action against her. He also said he's glad to not proceed with a defamation suit that would inevitable take a lot of time and energy. He also said he recognizes that it was not easy for St-Pierre to apologize but believes integrity is paramount.
