Stephen Harper calls the cops – Helena Guergis

The last time a Prime Minister called the cops on a cabinet minister was in 1987.
(PM Brian Mulroney РAndr̩ Bissonnette Рland deal. He was charged and aquitted by a jury)

Statement today from the Prime Ministers Office:

Last night my office became aware of serious allegations regarding the conduct of the Honourable Helena Guergis. These allegations relate to the conduct of Ms. Guergis and do not involve any other Ministers, MPs, Senators or federal government employees.

I have referred the allegations to the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and to the RCMP. Under the circumstances, I will not comment on them further.

Ms. Guergis offered her resignation from the Ministry, and I accepted it. Pending a resolution, she will sit outside of the Conservative Party Caucus. I have asked the Honourable Rona Ambrose to assume additional responsibility for the Status of Women portfolio.

via: CBC

Guergis has been scrubbed off Conservative Party sites, her webpages are gone, she is listed as an independent, and speculation is running rampant about who leaked the story about her husband (former MP Rahim Jaffer) to The Toronto Star. His website bragging about his ability to secure support from the Canadian government is also gone. The use of government issued blackberries with government addies by spouses is a topic of hot conversation. For a Friday afternoon presser, there is a lot of chatter, and a lot less protest from Conservative Party supporters than I would have expected.
The Toronto Star got a thin threat from a former Conservative candidate (Vanier) and business partner of Mr. Jaffer:

April 8, 2010
PRESS RELEASE
From Green Power Generation Corporation (GPG)
Ottawa- Mr Jaffer is a valued partner of GPG. The allegations in the Toronto Star are inaccurate and a complete mischaracterization of the contact between Mr Jaffer a principal of GPG, and M Nazim Gillani, of International Strategic Investments (ISI). In light of the publication, GPG intends to seek legal action against the Toronto Star.

For more information xxx

This is the Thursday piece on Rahim Jaffer which got the newspaper the above legal threat.
Canadians are angry with the on-going behavior of this couple. They are not happy that Jaffer who was charged in September 2009 with drinking and driving and cocaine possession got a break in court in March 2010. Guergis making noises about suing the airport employees who reported her airport temper tantram didn’t sit well with a travelling public.

The Toronto Star has a timeline of this couple’s public moves. So does The National Post.

Guergis was eye candy for Question Period, strategically parked behind the PM. She was elected in 2004. The Minister of State (Status of Women) gave the PMO her resignation prior to the PM’s news conference.

April 9, 2010

This morning, I tendered my resignation as Minister of State for Status of Women to the Prime Minister which he accepted.

The past 9 months have been a very difficult time for me. I have made mistakes for which I have apologised. I want the people of PEI to know that when I spoke emotionally I was speaking about the airport as I would never insult my father’s birthplace. I apologise again. I have worked hard for Canadian women and I am proud of my record of my accomplishments on their behalf.

I will continue in my position as MP for Simcoe-Grey and continue to serve my community.

Sincerely,

Helena Guergis, MP Simcoe Grey

The RCMP have acknowledged they have received a referral from the PMO.
The Ethics Commissioners office also acknowledge receipt of a request.
Ms. Guergis is also under investigation by Elections Canada.
The followup article in The Toronto Star.
Rahim Jaffer married Helen Guergis in 2008, the day after he lost his Edmonton seat in the federal election.

My contribution to the Friday speculation – an announcement one or both have checked into rehab.