PM’s Top Aide Could Face Conflict of Interest Over Jets

Nigel Wright has said he will recuse himself from any discussions on aerospace manufacturing, which could include the controversial F-35 purchase.

Wright will take over as Stephen Harper’s chief of staff in January, but comments he made last week suggest he may not be able to participate in major national security decisions. Wright is taking a leave of absence from Onex, a huge firm that owns interests in companies operating in several business sectors, including aerospace manufacturing. Wright said he will recuse himself from discussions regarding aerospace manufacturing, but it’s unclear if that will include the controversial $16-billion purchase of F-35 jets, as well as larger decisions such as using naval or aerial means to defend Arctic sovereignty. Opposition MPs said they feared Wright will find a loophole in ethics guidelines to participate in these key decisions.