It did not get at the nub of the expenses scandal. Senator Duffy’s speech was a compelling, if pathetic, human spectacle. We have to distinguish between the dramatic and the germane.

But it is not about that, any more than it is about Boys In Short Pants Telling Senators What To Do. I think it provided him with an opportunity: to frame the whole issue as Ethical Prime Minister Versus Entitled Senators. The conventional wisdom is that Duffy so wounded the prime minister that he had to respond. That perhaps suggests Senator Duffy’s speech was not quite the “bombshell” it was made out to be. But by making that the thrust of his accusation, he gave the prime minister his opening. And he wasn’t stripped of his Senate seat, or any of its benefits - not until this week’s move to suspend him, along with Senators Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau, without pay. Much has been made of the $90,000 cheque from Nigel Wright.Įxcept, of course, he didn’t have to pay it back, as we know: Nigel Wright paid it for him. However the sad truth is, I allowed myself to be intimidated into doing what I knew in my heart was wrong, out of a fear of losing my job, and a misguided sense of loyalty. Like you, I took a solemn oath to put the interests of Canadians ahead of all else. I rise today against the orders of my doctors who fear my heart condition has worsened after months of unrelenting stress.īut given the unprecedented nature of today’s proceedings, I feel I have no other choice than to come here to defend my good name. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

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