Clusterduff at two weeks: Some questions that might be answered

It was two weeks ago tonight that CTV first reported that Nigel Wright and Mike Duffy had been involved in some kind of arrangement in regards to the latter’s disputed expenses. The next morning, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Mr. Wright had written Mr. Duffy a personal cheque to cover the expenses. Within two days, Mike Duffy had resigned from the Conservative caucus and three days after that Nigel Wright resigned as the Prime Minister’s chief of staff.

The ethics commissioner and the Senate’s ethics officer are apparently reviewing the matter, the Senate’s internal economy committee has begun a new review of Mr. Duffy’s expenses, the RCMP has apparently requested documents from the Senate and the Prime Minister has proclaimed himself to be “frustrated and angry and sorry about all of this,” but for all that has occurred and been said over the last 14 days, we don’t know much more than we did on that Wednesday morning when the PMO confirmed that Mr. Wright had written a cheque. So let’s tally up the questions that remain unanswered, or might at least be asked.

What was the understanding between Mr. Wright and Mr. Duffy? Was it strictly and solely a transfer of money? Was Mr. Duffy told that he would receive any kind of favourable treatment? Was there any suggestion that the agreement between Mr. Wright and Mr. Duffy would have some bearing on the Senate’s investigation of Mr. Duffy?

Did Mr. Duffy, as he apparently suggested to CTV, take out a loan to cover his disputed expenses? If so, why?

Why did five days elapse between the acknowledgement of an agreement and Mr. Wright’s resignation? Did the Prime Minister lose confidence in Mr. Wright? If so, when?

Are Mr. Wright and Mr. Duffy friends? Is Mr. Duffy facing financial difficulties?

Was anyone else in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Harper government or the Conservative party aware of or involved in Mr. Wright’s dealings with Mr. Duffy? Was anyone else in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Harper government or the Conservative party aware of or involved in the establishment of an agreement between Mr. Wright and Mr. Duffy?

Is the Prime Minister’s Office in possession of any documents or correspondence that relate to Mr. Wright’s discussions with Mr. Duffy?

Is there, as the Liberals have suggested, an email dated February 20 that provides some insight into the agreement between Mr. Wright and Mr. Duffy? If so, is the Prime Minister’s Office in possession of this email?

Was the Prime Minister at all aware that Mr. Wright and Mr. Duffy were in contact about Mr. Duffy’s expenses? What does the Prime Minister now know or understand about the agreement between Mr. Wright and Mr. Duffy? What has he done over the last two weeks to understand what occurred between Mr. Wright and Mr. Duffy?

In related news, a Senate cheat sheet:Click on the image for a larger version.