Liberals' national director alleges party defamed him

The federal Liberals' national director is accusing the party of besmirching his reputation following his controversial comments last week about the hiring of francophone Quebecers, CBC News has learned.

"I believe the events of the past week can only add up to a public and unjustified besmirching of my name and reputation, and, unless further steps are taken, the constructive dismissal of me," Jamie Carroll wrote in a confidential letter addressed to senior party executives.

Carroll, who was handpicked by Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion for his post, says his reputation has been "permanently damaged" by a "public attack … launched against me."

He requests that the national management committee's executivetake action through a "unanimous motion to endorse me in my current role."

Then, in a veiled threat, Carroll writes that he has consulted lawyers who have told him he would be eligible for "considerable" damages should he pursue the matter in court, and mentions about 12 to 18 months pay as compensation.

No desire to see matter litigated: Carroll

In a jab at the party's fundraising woes, he adds, "I do not make this suggestion lightly, as I have no desire to see this matter become either public or litigated, and no one knows better than I how difficult this money is to come by."

Members of the party's management committee are reported to be meeting Tuesday night to discuss the letter and decide Carroll's fate.

The Liberal party would not confirm it, but sources say Carroll will be forced to resign. The party issued a press release late Tuesday saying there would be no comment on an internal, personnel matter.

On Friday, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion rejected calls by some senior Liberals tofireCarroll, who came under attack after a meeting last weekduring whichhe was urged to hire more francophones for Dion's staff.

According to some witnesses, Carroll is said to have responded: "Do we also have to hire people from the Chinese community to represent the Chinese community?"

But others at the meeting said Carroll's response was taken out of context. And in a statement last week, Carroll said he never meant to insult Quebecers or Chinese-Canadians.

Speaking in Halifax, Dion said he believed Carroll's comments were misinterpreted, adding that the Liberals' national director has his full confidence.

In another blow to the party, Pierre-Luc Bellerose announced he would not run as a Liberal candidate in the Quebec riding of Joliette and called on Dion to quit the party.

"At some point, you can't be too self-absorbed. You have to think of the whole party and I think that Mr. Dion better leave," he told a French news channel.

He is the third prospective candidate in Quebec to announce he won't run for the Liberals in the next election. Former astronaut Marc Garneau has also said he won't run again.

The internal bickering comes on the heels of the Liberal shutout in three Quebec byelections two weeks ago.

The party also recently lost two high-profile candidates in Quebec— Paul Leduc, the former mayor of a Montreal suburb, and former astronaut Marc Garneau.