After a week of rumours, accusations between the campaigns, and denials from the Stone camp we now know that a significant number of new memberships signed up by the Todd Stone campaign have been rejected.
Stone campaign co-chair Peter Fassbender says it was due to an “error.”
“There was an issue on a number of memberships. Those memberships in agreement with the party were set aside. Those individuals are not being allowed to vote.”
Reporter “How many memberships Peter?”
“Our campaign was 1,349.”
Fassbender says it was the mistake of one individual, a contractor, hired by the campaign to deal with people who did not speak English as their first language.”
“Well it was an individual in the company who was trying to find a method to assist these people but as I said under the spirit of the rules that was not allowed by the party. We agreed with that as soon as we were made aware of the detail and of course took the appropriate action.”
“There was nothing inappropriate or untoward and that is where we left it.”
Reporter “If there was nothing inappropriate or untoward then why not just come clean right away?”
“Because we dealt with the issue under the terms and the rules of the party. We think to go out publicly and say we had an issue and make it an issue more than it should have been. It was dealt with.”
Fassbender says he is also not happy with former MLA Bill Bennett, an Andrew Wilkinson supporter, for taking a run at Stone.
“That is Bill Bennett. That has been his track record for a long time. I am quite honestly disgusted with it.”
The contractor involved is Aggregate IQ a small BC data analytics firm.
It is under investigation by both British and Canadian authorities for its work with the ‘Leave’ side of the Brexit campaign.
You can listen to the full interview with Peter Fassbender HERE