Senator Pamela Wallin discusses expense scandal on CBC Thursday

Senator Pamela Wallin said the Prime Minister’s office gave her an ultimatum last month – resign from the Conservative Caucus within one hour or  be fired.

Wallin spoke with Peter Mansbridge during an exclusive interview on the CBC this evening, giving her side of the story on questionable expense claims that have dogged her for months.

“I’m very sorry obviously that I have caused all of this grief for my family, friends, and fellow parliamentarians. I think taxpayers have the right to know so I want to say somethings about this but I just am waiting for this process to come to a final conclusion before September.”

Wallin admitted that she had made mistakes in the past but has accepted responsibility.

“I’m responsible. No, I sign the documents so I take responsibility. I take full responsibility for this. I should have gone over it with a fine-tooth comb as anybody should but I just didn’t.”

Wallin resigned from the Conservative Caucus and her position on a number of boards but hasn’t resigned from the Senate.

“I want to see these issues dealt with. I am doing my level best to sort out my particular case to make sure there are no more issues or concerns.”

She says the Prime Minister’s New Chief of Staff, Ray Novak, and the Tory Senate leadership told her she was not “representative of the views” they wanted to have in public and she had to go.

“A phone call comes and you are given an hour to resign or you’ll be fired.”

“These are my mistakes and I will pay my bills. I have worked every single day of my life and I will continue to do that in one way or another,” Wallin told Mansbridge Thursday night.

Wallin, who now sits as an independent in the Senate, has paid back $38,000 in expenses and says she may have to repay more.

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