Contradictions in Butts's testimony may mean Wilson-Raybould testifies again: former diplomat
Gerald Butts appeared before the Commons justice committee Wednesday
Gerald Butts' testimony on the SNC-Lavalin affair will likely lead to more testimony from former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, according to a veteran of Canadian politics.
"There are so many contradictions now between what Mr. Butts testified and what Ms. Wilson-Raybould testified, that I can't see anything other than calling her back," said Norman Spector, who was chief of staff under former Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney.
The committee may also need to call people she named in her testimony "before the prime minister can even attempt to bring closure to this affair," he told The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti.
Butts testified before the Commons justice committee Wednesday. He was responding to accusations from former attorney general Wilson-Raybould that she faced pressure from the Prime Minister's Office to intervene in the criminal prosecution case of SNC-Lavalin.
The Quebec engineering company is facing allegations of fraud and corruption in Libya, but has pleaded not guilty.
Butts, who resigned as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's top aide on Feb. 18, told the committee there was no intention to pressure Wilson-Raybould's decision on the criminal prosecution. He said that official engagements were only meant to ensure she had the full facts on the impact of a potential conviction.
"I am firmly convinced that nothing happened here beyond the normal operations of government," he said.
The contradictions between their testimonies means the issue will continue to grab headlines, said Rob Russo, the CBC's parliamentary bureau chief.
"If Liberals were hoping that Mr. Butts' testimony would begin to smother this, to contain it, I don't see that," he told Tremonti.
"I think that there are more questions to be asked, based on the answers that he's given to questions today."
Click 'listen' near the top of the page to hear the full conversation.
Written by Padraig Moran with files from CBC Politics. Produced by Samira Mohyeddin.