NDP wants inquiry into Emerson's floor-crossing

[Minstrel Boy]

A New Democrat MP has asked the ethics commissioner to investigate turncoat Liberal MP David Emerson, suggesting he violated the Ethics Code when he deserted his party and took a cabinet post with the Conservatives.

Peter Julian sent a letter to House of Commons Ethics Commissioner Bernard Shapiro requesting an investigation into a possible breach of the Ethics Code involving Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Trade Minister David Emerson.

Julian says Harper could be in violation of Parliament's conflict-of-interest code when he offered Emerson a plumb post in exchange for defecting from the Liberals.

"There's very clearly the appearance of a violation of the ethics code," Julian said on CTV's Mike Duffy Live. "There's the appearance that there was a reward. Cabinet ministers are paid more, there are additional perks that come with office."

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060210/ndp_emerson_060210/20060210?hub=Canada

The case may be weak, but the story's just not going away.