The leader of the BC Liberals is calling for a cease fire with the NDP on all partisan sniping in the aftermath of the Plecas report.
Andrew Wilkinson says he is calling for the Premier to join him to take steps to restore public faith in the legislature, a faith he says has been badly shaken by the spending scandal.
“We have got to re-establish the trust in this institution immediately with a ban on foreign travel unless it is previously approved. A complete posting of all expenses from everybody who works in this building. And thirdly an immediate and prompt review from the Auditor General of the accounting practices so that we can move forward with some degree of public trust in this institution.”
Wilkinson says the Premier should join with him to take steps to restore trust in the legislature.
“It is of grave concern when we see allegations of grossly excessive spending with no justification. People are entitled to be offended by that.”
Wilkinson brushed off questions asking about his party’s relationship with Craig James who expensed trips to meet with several prominent Liberals.
James was also appointed to the job as Clerk in 2011 by the then BC Liberal government circumventing the usual legislative process.
“I am not aware of the background of Craig James appointment as the Clerk. I wasn’t in the building at the time.”
He says it is time for the partisan sniping to stop.
“If all of us continue to squirm around in the pit mud wrestling then we are going to look like a pack of idiots. The public needs to have confidence in this institution.”
Wilkinson was also asked about potentially improper expenses by Deputy Speaker Linda Reid and whether she should step aside.
“I understand there has been some controversy about parking and taxi fares that needs to be sorted out promptly, prefferably by the Auditor General of British Columbia. If there has been any unappropriate or duplicate payments it needs to be paid back.
Wilkinson says the goal should be to clean house right now to restore faith in the B.C. Legislature.