(OTTAWA) MP Han Dong announces plans to sue Global News after the network published allegations that he advised the Chinese consul in Toronto to delay the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
The Don Valley North lawmaker, who resigned from the Liberal caucus last week after being slammed by the story, has confirmed that he intends to take legal action against Global News and its parent company, Corus Entertainment.
In a letter published Monday on social networks, he indicates that he has retained the services of a lawyer.
“I can look in the mirror and know with complete certainty that the truth is on my side. The anonymous people who falsely accused me and those who helped them do so cannot say the same,” Han Dong wrote in the missive.
The MP had signaled his intention to sue Global News on Thursday in an interview with The Globe and Mail. In the same article, the Toronto daily claimed to have been made aware of the allegations against him, but to have judged that they were not strong enough to be published.
The Global News network reported, based on two confidential security sources, that Han Dong suggested to the Chinese consul general in Toronto, Han Tao, that Beijing wait before releasing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were then arbitrarily detained. in China for more than two years.
“As a parliamentarian and as a person, I have never – and never would have – supported or advocated for the violation of the fundamental rights of any Canadian, or anyone anywhere, period,” defended the principal concerned late Wednesday evening, in a speech in the House.
“I want to assure Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig and their family that I did nothing to cause them any harm. Like all the members of this House, I have worked hard to defend their interests, ”also swore the Ontario MP, announcing that he would henceforth sit as an independent.
The next day, the House adopted by majority a motion calling for a public inquiry into foreign interference in the Canadian democratic process. Unlike his former liberal colleagues, who all voted against, Han Dong voted in favor.
The two Michaels returned to Canada after more than 1,000 days spent in arbitrary detention in China.
They were in Ottawa last Friday for the visit of the President of the United States, Joe Biden. The latter hailed them in his speech to the Canadian Parliament.
