Harper can’t be shielded from facing defamation suit: Guergis’s lawyer

OTTAWA – A lawyer for former cabinet minister Helena Guergis is fighting for her case to stay alive in court.

Stephen Victor struck back at defence counsel who said her defamation and conspiracy suit against the prime minister and other Conservative figures is flimsy and should be thrown out.

Guergis was turfed from cabinet and the Tory caucus in 2010 after allegations were made against her of possible criminal and unethical activity.

Defendants have told an Ontario Superior Court that the case should be dismissed because of the constitutional protections afforded the prime minister, cabinet and Parliament.

But Victor says the case has nothing to do with Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s right to hire or fire who he wants.

He says the crux of the matter is what Harper did before he dismissed her, and that was allegedly defame her in a public statement and in a letter to the RCMP and the ethics watchdog.