Story misrepresented Manley campaign concerns
Letter to the editor in Ottawa Citizen
26-06-2003

Re: Martin accused of cheating in debates, June 24.

I have never accused or otherwise implied that the Paul Martin campaign team engaged in "cheating" or "being tipped off to the questions in advance" during the Liberal leadership debates.

In fact, during the interview, I repeatedly refused to make such an accusation. Your headline was particularly troubling given that the story in the National Post accurately reports that I "insisted (that I) was not making any allegations against the Martin team."

Anne Dawson's story also implied that I was making allegations against the debate organizers, Senator Serge Joyal, Bobbi Ethier and Liberal MP Marcel Proulx, and others. I categorically deny this, and emphasize that I did not, nor would I, call into question their conduct. Throughout the debates, their conduct on behalf of the Liberal party was fair, impartial and appropriate.

Dan Brock,

Ottawa,

Director of campaign policy,

Friends of John Manley