Battle Between Liberals, Admiral Heats up as Cabinet Orders McDonald to Stay on Leave

Battle Between Liberals, Admiral Heats up as Cabinet Orders McDonald to Stay on Leave
Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy Vice-Admiral Art McDonald is seen during an interview with The Canadian Press in Ottawa, on Dec. 11, 2019. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld
The Canadian Press
Updated:

OTTAWA—The battle between the federal Liberal government and Admiral Art McDonald heated up on Thursday as cabinet ministers ordered the naval officer to remain on leave rather than return as commander of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The surprise move only days before an expected election call represented the latest twist in a drama that had already taken several turns since McDonald’s lawyers released a defiant statement Wednesday saying their client planned to return as chief of the defence staff.