Premier Gordon Campbell's chief of staff got a shock in the Supreme Court of British Columbia when he learned Wednesday of a cabinet resignation.
During cross-examination of Martyn Brown in the B.C. Rail political corruption trial, defence lawyer Michael Bolton made a passing reference to former Liberal MLA Blair Lekstrom.
"I believe he's left caucus," said Bolton, referring to Lekstrom's recent resignation in protest over the government's adoption of the harmonized sales tax.
When Lekstrom quit last week it made front page headlines in B.C. and was the lead item on many newscasts.
But Brown, who has been on the witness stand for the past two weeks, said he'd missed it all.
"That is a revelation to me -- and a disappointment," said Brown, appearing startled.
"That very much surprises me. I have not been following the news. I have not been doing anything to taint my evidence," he said.
Brown -- who in his job was expected to be on top of any issue that affected cabinet -- said he has maintained his self-imposed information blackout by ignoring newspapers delivered to his hotel room, by not watching TV and by avoiding conversations with anyone from his office.
As chief of staff since the Liberals were first elected in 2001, Brown has had a reputation of being an intense news watcher.
Facing charges of fraud and breach of trust are Dave Basi, and Bobby Virk, former government employees accused of trading in confidential government documents related to the $1 billion sale of B.C. Rail in 2003. Aneal Basi, Dave Basi's cousin, is charged with money laundering.
