Johnston Says the Fact His Counsel Is a Liberal Party Donor Is Not a Conflict of Interest

David Johnston, special rapporteur on foreign interference, presents his first report in Ottawa on May 23, 2023. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press

Special rapporteur David Johnston defended his impartiality and that of his top counsel as he faced opposition MPs who’ve requested he step down from his role around concerns of conflict of interest.

“I don’t believe I have a conflict of interest and I would not have undertaken this responsibility had I had a conflict of interest,” Johnston told the House of Commons Procedure and House Affairs committee on June 6.