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Government Names Justice To Investigate Former Prime Minister

Manitoba-In an effort to get the investigation off the ground the Federal Government has named a chief investigator to lead the inquiry into the actions and situation surrounding former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

Justice Jeffrey J. Oliphant was named a justice of the Queens Court Bench of Manitoba August 22nd, 1985 during the period in which Brian Mulroney was serving as Prime Minister.

Some members of the opposition are calling the appointment biased, as Justice Oliphant was nominated by former PM Mulroney.

MP Pat Martin of the New Democrat party is calling the nomination of Oliphant “questionable,” and says that the whole inquiry is facing being labeled as tainted because of a possible conflict of interest by naming Judge Oliphant to head the investigation.

Other sources close to the legal community in Manitoba report to the contrary.

They maintain that Justice Oliphant is a professional and judge of the highest moral fiber, and that if during the investigation there is any conflict, implied or otherwise that Justice Oliphant can be relied on to disqualify himself as necessary.

It will be interesting as the investigation takes shape to see the scope and material under examination.

In question is the possible business and social dealings of the former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to Karlheinz Schreiber, a known Canadian lobbyist.