The Duffy Affair: Duffy resigns Conservative caucus amid brewing scandal

After accepting a $90,172 cheque from Stephen Harper's chief of staff, Nigel Wright, to repay inappropriate use of the senate's housing allowance and recent news that he may have claimed campaign expenses as senate business in April 2011, disgraced Conservative senator Mike Duffy has resigned from the Conservative caucus and will sit as an independent in the senate.

“It is clear the public controversy surrounding me and the repayment of my Senate expenses has become a significant distraction to my caucus colleagues, and to the government," Duffy said in a statement.

"Given that my presence within the Conservative caucus only contributes to that distraction, I have decided to step outside of the caucus and sit as an independent Senator pending resolution of these questions."
This departure from the Conservative caucus, and Duffy's declaration he and his family "are going to take some time away from the public" should not deter investigations from happening into his wrong doing and his links with the PMO. There is no doubt Duffy's actions were and likely are orchestrated by the PMO as recent investigations have revealed.

Many on social media are angered by the controversy surrounding Duffy and many would argue resigning from the Conservative caucus isn't enough. What do you think of Duffy's resignation from the Conservative caucus? Should he also have resigned as a senator? Do you think the Conservatives will try to use his resignation as an opportunity to sweep the recent scandal that links to the 2011 election and the chief of staff under the rug? Share this article and join the discussion and let us know what you think: Facebook, Twitter, Google+.

Stephen Harper on Integrity: The Duffy Affair

What started as a $90,172 claim of inappropriate expenses seen as an outrage as part of abusive senate behaviour quickly escalated to a scandal with many more questions than answers. Get up to date with the full timeline.
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