Time To Hear Mike Duffy's Version Of Events Of PMO Scandal

Much has been made of the $90,000 cheque from Nigel Wright. I hope I'll be able to give an explanation of the chain of events and the circumstances surrounding that gift without impugning the rights of others to a fair trial, should criminal proceedings follow

Like you, I took a solemn oath to put the interests of Canadians ahead of all else. However, the sad truth is, I allowed myself to be intimidated into doing what I knew in my heart was wrong out of a fear of losing my job and out of a misguided sense of loyalty.

So after caucus on Feb. 13 of this year, I met the Prime Minister and Nigel Wright, just the three of us

I said that despite the smear in the papers, I had not broken the rules, but the Prime Minister wasn't interested in explanations or the truth.

It's not about what you did; it's about the perception of what you did that has been created in the media. The rules are inexplicable to our base.

I was ordered by the Prime Minister: Pay the money back, end of discussion. Nigel Wright was present throughout, just the three of us.

Some honourable senators called me in PEI. One senator in particular left several particularly nasty and menacing messages: Do what the Prime Minister wants. Do it for the PM and for the good of the party. I continued to resist. Finally, the message from the PMO became: Do what we want or else.

However, if you do what we want, the Prime Minister will publicly confirm that you're entitled to sit as a senator from P.E.I. and you won't lose your seat. Tkachuk and Stewart Olsen (pictured) are ready to make that press release now. I said: They don't have the power to do that. He said: Agree to what we want right now or else.I made one last effort. I said: I don't believe I owe anything, and besides which, I don't have $90,000.Don't worry, Nigel said, I'll write the cheque. Let the lawyers handle the details; you just follow the plan and we'll keep Carolyn Stewart Olsen and David Tkachuk at bay.

There was an undertaking made by the PMO, with the agreement of the Senate leadership, that I would not be audited by Deloitte, that I'd be given a pass; and further, that if this phony scheme ever became public, Senator LeBreton, the Leader of the Government of the day, would whip the Conservative caucus to prevent my expulsion from the chamber.

After combing my living expense claims, my travel claims, Senate air travel, my cellphone records and Senate American Express, Deloitte found that I had not violated the Senate rules.

Then, in May, after someone leaked selected excerpts of a confidential email I had sent to my lawyer in February, in which I voiced my opposition and concern about the deal, the PMO was back with a vengeance.

I urge you to defeat these motions or, at the very least, vote in favour of Senator Cowan's motion to refer, so that people can have their day in court. Honourable senators and my friends, especially my colleagues on the other side, today you are facing what I faced in February. Be a team player and go along with the PMO and the Senate leadership, or stand up and do your constitutional duty.

I wish I had had the courage to say no back in February when this monstrous political scheme was first ordered. Today you have an opportunity to stand strong and use your power to restrain the unaccountable power of the PMO. That's what this Senate is about, sober second thought, not taking dictation from kids in short pants down the hall.I urge you to say no to these outrageous motions. Tell the whips: My oath as a senator is to put Canada first, and that comes before my loyalty to any party or any leader.Senators, Canadians are watching. Thank you.