Senate expense scandal isn’t going away any time soon

Over the past couple of days, we've heard Conservative MPs and Senators publicly muse about Mike Duffy resigning from the Senate.

The Conservatives would like that very much: They'd be ridding themselves of an individual who, while he no longer sits in caucus, continues to sully their brand.

On Thursday, however, Duffy told reporters that he's not going anywhere.

"I think Canadians have a right to know all the facts and I'm quite prepared in the appropriate place and time to give them the whole story," Duffy told reporters.

"There are bits and pieces out there, it should all be put together in one place and there will be some place to do that.

"Canadians deserve answers, I want to give them answers, and eventually, hopefully not too long, they will get the answers. We need a full and open inquiry so that it all gets aired."

[ Related: Duffy says he wants to give Canadians "full story" ]

So Duffy isn't going anywhere.

Neither is this story. It will dog the Tories while investigations continue and findings are revealed.

We now know that the federal ethics commissioner is investigating the $90,000 gift he received from the prime minister's former chief of staff Nigel Wright while an internal senate committee is taking a second look at his expense claims. And, on Thursday, the National Post reported that the RCMP's anti-corruption unit is "examining" the expenses of Duffy and fellow independent Senators Patrick Brazeau and Mac Harb.

While these probes continue, we may see the spotlight shift to Senator Pamela Wallin.

The Toronto Star is reporting that the Senate has asked its external auditors to broaden their investigation on Wallin to get a clearer picture "over concerns she was claiming inappropriate refunds."

It's been reported that Wallin has claimed $321,037 in 'other travel' and $29,423 on flights from Ottawa to her home province of Saskatchewan since September 2010.

Wallin was forced out of the Tory caucus last week. She refuses to give details to the media or public but is cooperating with auditors. A source told CTV News that once the audit is complete it will be forwarded directly to the RCMP.

[ Related: Is Senate-gate the Tories’ sponsorship scandal? ]

And then you've got the opposition parties who aren't to going to let this story die.

As explained by CBC News, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has put forward a Notice Paper asking the government the following

The government has 45 days to respond.

For the Conservatives, things could get a lot worse before they get better.

(Photo courtesy of The Canadian Press)

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