Han Dong threatens legal action against Global News over foreign interference report – National | 24CA News
Han Dong is threatening authorized motion in opposition to Global News and its father or mother firm after the media outlet printed an allegation the Toronto MP spoke to a Chinese diplomat about delaying the discharge of two Canadians.
“Yes, I am taking legal action against Global News and Corus Entertainment,” Dong stated in an announcement on Monday. “I have retained a lawyer to begin legal action to its fullest extent.”
The assertion follows a Global News report final week, citing nameless safety sources, that alleged the Toronto MP spoke about Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig with a Chinese diplomat in Toronto in February 2021.
The two Canadian males had been detained by China in December 2018, simply over every week after the RCMP arrested Huawei government Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver on a U.S. extradition warrant.
Global News alleged that Dong advised China’s consul common in Toronto that releasing the boys would profit the Conservatives, but additionally that displaying some “progress” within the case would assist the Liberals.
Global News has additionally printed allegations that Dong benefited from Chinese overseas interference within the Canadian electoral course of.
The Canadian Press has not independently verified the allegations in opposition to Dong, who introduced on Wednesday that he was leaving the Liberal caucus and would sit as an Independent to defend himself.
Global News editor-in-chief Sonia Verma stood by the outlet’s reporting on Monday, saying in an announcement: “Global News is governed by a rigorous set of journalistic principles and practices, and we are very mindful of the public interest and legal responsibility of this important accountability reporting.”
Dong didn’t instantly reply to questions on his lawyer’s id, or whether or not he has filed an announcement of declare in courtroom to formally launch authorized proceedings.
In his assertion on Monday, Dong pushed again in opposition to allegations of getting labored with Beijing by relating his father’s expertise below the Chinese Communist regime, which included having been despatched to a “re-education camp” in 1970.
“The trauma left on my father is one of the compelling reasons why, as co-chair of the Canada-China Legislative Association and a member of Parliament, I took every available opportunity to advocate on behalf of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor and to call for their immediate release,” he stated.
“It is inconceivable that I would ever suggest a falsely accused individual should spend an extra minute in jail.”
Dong stated he helps a public inquiry on overseas interference in Canada, and that he’s keen to satisfy with former governor common David Johnston, who has been tapped as a particular rapporteur to look into such allegations.
“I can look at myself in the mirror and know, with full certainty, that I have the truth on my side,” he stated. “My anonymous false accusers and their enablers cannot say the same.”
© 2023 The Canadian Press
