OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s former chief of staff and Mike Duffy's lawyer are expected to continue sparring today at the embattled senator's trial at the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa.
Nigel Wright was pressed Monday to explain a "scenario" co-ordinated between top aides in Harper's office and Duffy that included having the senator publicly admit he made a mistake with his expenses and promise to repay them.
Trouble is, Duffy was never going to repay the money himself and several people around Harper knew it.
The initial plan, in February 2013, was to have the party cover the bill, as well as Duffy's legal expenses and Wright has said he told Harper shortly afterward that Duffy would repay the expenses.
Wright ended up cutting a cheque to Duffy for $90,000 and told several people in Harper's office, as well as the party.
Harper told the Commons in June 2013, well after Wright's $90,000 payment had come to light, that his former chief of staff had told no one in his office about his decision.
Duffy's lawyer, Donald Bayne, asked Wright on Monday why he lied to the prime minister.
Wright replied that he didn't feel it was a lie but something that wasn't on the list of things he needed to check with Harper.
Duffy has pleaded not guilty to 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery in connection with his Senate claims.
