General

Colvin a victim of government “reprisal”?

A lawyer for the Canadian diplomat claims Ottawa is working to prevent Colvin from testifying again

In a letter to the Military Police Complaints Commission, Richard Colvin’s lawyer says his client has been the target of retaliation by the government. Colvin, whose testimony before a Parliamentary committee looking into allegations Afghan detainees was sharply critical of the government, claims Ottawa has stopped paying his legal bills, which could prevent him from offering further testimony into the matter. Colvin’s Toronto lawyer, Owen Rees, writes that his client has been left with the “reasonable belief that the denial of legal indemnification is a reprisal for his participation before the committee and the commission.” As a federal employee, Colvin is entitled to legal representation for having been summoned before a Commons committee. However, the Conservatives have yet to agree to any additional funding for the legal fees related to Colvin’s testimony before the Military Police Complaints Commission. “The government of Canada’s inaction in this regard,” Rees writes, “is impeding our client’s ability to participate as a witness before the commission with the assistance of legal counsel, which is appropriate and necessary given the complexity of the legal issues raised, including the government’s claims of national security confidentiality.”

Canadian Press

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
FILED UNDER: