Emails from Premier Gordon Campbell and his inner circle concerning the sale of B.C. Rail should be disclosed, the judge in the Basi-Virk political-corruption case ordered yesterday.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Bennett ruled that cabinet emails related to the railway’s sale are likely relevant in the trial of the former ministerial aides.
Outside court, defence lawyer Michael Bolton called the decision to allow access to the premier’s emails “virtually unprecedented.”
He said it was a critical decision and one that was “necessary to the right of our client to answer these charges.”
The question that remains is whether the emails can be produced, Bolton added.
The court heard Thursday that backup tapes that contained the documents might have been destroyed during May’s provincial election.
New Democrat attorney general critic Leonard Krog told reporters outside court that he was delighted with the decision and that “justice has won.”
“Nobody in British Columbia is above the law,” Krog said, “including Premier Gordon Campbell, the Liberal party, and the people who work for Gordon Campbell.
“The fact is they are going to be accountable to Justice Bennett and this court.”
David Basi and Robert Virk are charged with breach of trust and fraud related to the $1-billion sale of B.C. Rail to CN Rail. Aneal Basi, David Basi’s cousin, has been charged with money laundering.
