Canada PoliticsKen Boessenkool, B.C. Premier Christy Clark’s chief-of-staff forced to resign over ‘inappropriate’ incident
Ken Boessenkool, B.C. premier Christy Clark's chief-of-staff, has been forced to resign after he "acted inappropriately" in an undisclosed incident.
"Earlier this month I was involved in an incident where I acted inappropriately. I was wrong, regretted my behaviour very much and immediately and unconditionally apologized," Boessenkool wrote in his resignation letter made public on Monday morning.
"Notwithstanding my genuine apology and sense of regret, and following my meeting with you earlier today I tender my letter of resignation as your Chief of Staff effective immediately."
The details of the incident have not been disclosed but Global BC is reporting they had made inquiries about an incident, involving Boessenkool, at a Victoria watering hole earlier this month.
Clark's office acknowledged the resignation in a statement this morning.
"Earlier this month, the Premier's office was made aware of an incident of concern. Since that time, a review has been undertaken that adhered to the processes set down by the B.C. Public Service Agency. Having considered this review, I accepted the resignation of the Chief of Staff," she said.
"As per British Columbia's privacy laws, no more details can be provided."
This news is bad timing for the Christy Clark Liberals who, after a year of toiling in the polls, started to see some light at the end of tunnel as the other right-of-centre alternative in the province, the B.C. Conservatives, self-destruct.
[ Related: Leadership dispute prompts resignation but B.C. Conservatives call for unity ]
Last week, one of their recent by-election candidates jumped ship to the Liberals and over the weekend the only Conservative MLA resigned from the party.
Boessenkool was supposed to be a part of the Liberal government's renewal ahead of a May 2013 election. He joined the party late last year after a stint as senior policy advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Dan Doyle will take over Boessenkool effective immediately.
Boessenkool's resignation letter:
Premier:
Earlier this month I was involved in an incident where I acted inappropriately. I was wrong, regretted my behaviour very much and immediately and unconditionally apologized.
Notwithstanding my genuine apology and sense of regret, and following my meeting with you earlier today I tender my letter of resignation as your Chief of Staff effective immediately.
This will give me a chance to return to Calgary to be with my family — who I have also let down — and from whom I have been separated on a weekly basis for most of the last eight months.
I have been very proud to be at your side and proud of what I helped the team accomplish. Nothing should stand in the way of your successful leadership and the accomplishments of your government in creating jobs and making family life affordable.
I wish you the very best.
Sincerely,
Ken Boessenkool
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