VICTORIA — A former top Liberal government bureaucrat involved in the firings of eight health researchers two years ago says he won't take part in a review of the dismissals because it's not an independent probe.
Graham Whitmarsh's announcement came in a written statement released by the Opposition New Democrats that says while he believes Victoria labour lawyer Marcia McNeil can be independent, he doesn't think her review will be.
Whitmarsh was the deputy health minister in 2012 when the firings took place over allegations of inappropriate conduct and data breaches involving employees and drug researchers for the health ministry.
Since the firings, the government has settled three wrongful dismissal lawsuits, reinstated two employees, and Premier Christy Clark and Health Minister Terry Lake have apologized to the family of Roderick MacIsaac, a student who committed suicide.
Whitmarsh says he will participate in an independent review by the auditor general, but not McNeil's which is due Dec. 19.
Legal documents released last week from Whitmarsh's lawyer to the provincial government say that the unrealistic deadline and scope of the review reflects the government's intention of using Whitmarsh as a convenient scapegoat to blame.
