General

PMO apologizes to Ignatieff camp

Harper’s staff removed journalists from event prior to Liberal leader’s address

The PMO has apologized for kicking out journalists and removing the podium before Michael Ignatieff was scheduled to speak at an event at the Indian high commission. After Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed the crowd at the “Year of India in Canada” event, which included a coterie of journalists and TV crews, PMO staff ushered the scribes out of the room. Liberal communications director Leslie Church called it “an appalling abuse of power.” A press release issued by Mr. Ignatieff’s office did not indicate whether he would be speaking, merely that he would be attending the event, and the podium reportedly belonged to the PMO. Harper spokesman Andrew MacDougall has apologized for the misunderstanding, saying in an email that “media should not have been asked to leave prior to Mr. Ignatieff’s remarks.”

The Globe and Mail

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