Johnston Says House Vote Asking Him to Step Down Was Based on ‘False Allegations’

Conservative MP Michael Chong shakes hands with David Johnston, independent special rapporteur on foreign interference, who appears as a witness at the Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 6, 2023. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press

Special rapporteur David Johnston had to repeatedly defend his stance against holding a public inquiry on foreign interference as he testified in committee on June 6, facing opposition MPs who voted in favour of a motion asking him to step down.

NDP MP Peter Julian asked Johnston how he can have a “deep respect for Parliament” when he chose to ignore a “clear parliamentary vote” asking him to resign.