Justin Trudeau CRISIS: Canadian PM hit by ANOTHER resignation as scandal continues

Michael Wernick resigned as clerk of the Privy Council, which advises the Canadian government. Mr Trudeau has been rocked by scandal following accusations of interfering in a corruption case to help construction firm SNC-Lavalin. Former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould quit the government on March 12, claiming Mr Trudeau had subjected her to inappropriate pressure over the case.

Announcing his resignation Mr Wernick commented: “Recent events have led me to conclude that I cannot serve as clerk of the privy council and secretary to cabinet during the upcoming election campaign.

“It is now apparent that there is no path for me to have a relationship of mutual trust and respect with the leaders of the opposition parties.”

Opposition MP Charlie Angus urged Mr Wernick to resign earlier in the month, claiming he had “become a central player” in the SNC-Lavalin controversy.

Canadian politics was thrown into crisis when Ms Wilson-Raybould resigned in February, claiming she faced an “inappropriate effort”, including “veiled threats”, from Mr Trudeau and other senior government figures seeking to prevent SNC-Lavalin facing a criminal trial.

READ MORE: Canadian Prime Minister MOCKED online for St Patricks Day tweet

SNC-Lavalin is accused of bribing Libyan government figures between 2001 and 2011, when the country was under the brutal rule of Muammar Gaddafi.

She commented: “It is a fundamental doctrine of the rule of law that our Attorney General should not be subjected to political pressure or interference regarding the exercise of her prosecutorial discretion in criminal cases.

“Sadly, I have lost confidence in how the government has dealt with this matter and in how it has responded to the issues raised.”

Her resignation was followed by that of Jane Philpott, president of the treasury board, on March 4.

READ MORE: Justin Trudeau’s Liberals accused of ‘COVER-UP’ – cries of ‘SHAME’

A Canadian federal election is due to take place in October, with Conservative leader Andrew Scheer hoping to unseat Mr Trudeau.

Mr Trudeau insists all his contact with Ms Wilson-Raybould was above board and designed to protect Canadian jobs.

Speaking at a press conference at the end of last month he said: “I strongly maintain, as I have from the beginning, that I and my staff always acted appropriately and professionally.

“I therefore completely disagree with Ms Wilson-Raybould’s characterisation of events.”

source: express.co.uk