2 min readTorontoApr 9, 2010 10:02 AM IST
First published on: Apr 9, 2010 at 10:02 AM IST
A former Indo-Canadian Conservative MP,who was fined last year for careless driving,has been asked by the ruling party not to use its logo after reports that he was trading on his insider status with the government the day he was arrested.
Jaffer has never had any influence with Prime Minister Stephen Harper or his inner circle of advisers,a PM’s spokesman said yesterday.
“Any accusation that the PMO has opened doors for Mr Jaffer or his business associates is false and it is also absurd,” spokesman Dimitri Soudas said.
The Toronto Star published a story yesterday detailing what happened on the night Jaffer – a former MP from Edmonton and the husband of Minister of State for the Status of Women Helena Guergis – was arrested and charged with drunk driving and cocaine possession last September.
The report revealed that Jaffer,who was defeated in his Edmonton riding by the NDP in the last election,was telling businessmen he had influence with the Prime Minister and his office.
The story noted,too,that Jaffer,38,was continuing to use his parliamentary business card,which identifies him not only as a Conservative MP but as national caucus chair.
The prosecution ended up dropping the more serious charges after having decided there was not enough evidence to win at trial and Jaffer,a Muslim,instead pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving.
He was fined 500 Canadian Dollar.
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