Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA says she’s ‘deeply disturbed’ by reports about private investigator

CHILLIWACK – Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA Á’a:líya Warbus released a brief statement of dismay Thursday night following allegations that the party she once belonged to hired a private investigator to allegedly investigate her and other political figures in British Columbia.

“It has come to my attention that my name is listed and therefore attached to reports that a Private Investigator was hired by Ms. Findlay’s BC Conservative Party to investigate sitting MLAs and other professionals,” Warbus said Thursday evening in a statement posted to social media. “I am deeply disturbed by these claims; but reassured in my decision to leave the party earlier this month.”

British Columbia Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay said Thursday she was “not going anywhere” on another day of tumult for the Opposition, roiled by revelations that a private eye had been hired to look into her critics and calls for her to resign at an overnight caucus meeting, according to a report from the Canadian Press.

Lawyer Bruce Hallsor, a King’s counsel, said the party’s former executive director Elaine Allan had hired the investigator, although Hallsor would not name him or those he investigated.

Warbus said she was not aware of any private investigator before Thursday’s revelations.

“To date, I have not been formally notified outside of public reports, so more information is necessary and it is a priority to obtain details before taking any further action,” Warbus said. “I will make no additional comments on this matter until I receive legal counsel.”

Angelo Isidorou, the Conservative Party’s former executive director, said in a statement posted online Thursday that he was told a private investigator was hired to look into his activities during the summer and his company.

“I spent years building this party,” he said. “I am deeply disappointed by these inappropriate actions. The privacy and safety of my family is the most important thing in the world to me.”

Findlay had earlier acknowledged a lawyer’s investigation into the claims about the private eye, while denying knowledge of the activities and vowing not to stand aside amid speculation that an early election call by Premier David Eby is imminent.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.