VICTORIA –This week, the Auditor General of British Columbia has been forced to file a petition in the Supreme Court of B.C., in order to obtain the details of the $6 million sweetheart deal that covered defense costs for former B.C. Liberal staffers Dave Basi and Bobby Virk.

This afternoon, New Democrat Attorney General Critic sent a letter to Minister Barry Penner requesting clarification of whether Dr. Stephen Toope has access to the details of Basi-Virk agreements in order to review the B.C. Rail indemnification deal.

“The Attorney General carefully avoided questions related to the scope of the Toope review in estimates debate, but in the Premier’s Estimates, Christy Clark assured Opposition Leader Adrian Dix that none of the issues raised regarding the specific details of the Basi-Virk deal were excluded from the review,” said Leonard Krog.

“Given that the Auditor General has had to file a petition to try and gain access to these details, it raises serious questions about the veracity of the Premier’s assurances and serious concern that Dr. Toope will also be prevented access to vital information on the basis of solicitor-client privilege.”

The New Democrats believe that this information should be provided to the Auditor General and Dr. Toope to ensure a fair and balanced review into the indemnity deal.