Premier slams Liberal leader's suggestion to team up in legislature overhaul as 'offensive'

B.C. Premier John Horgansays he has nointerest in working with Opposition leader Andrew Wilkinson and the B.C. Liberal Party ona major overhaul and house cleaningat the B.C. Legislature.

"For him to say 'stand with me and we'lltackle this together' is offensive," said Horgan.

Earlier in the day, Wilkinson pitched the idea of both parties working together to address the extensive scandals outline in a report byhouse Speaker Darryl Plecas, which detailedlavish overspendingand questionable financial transactions on the part of two senior staffers Clerk of the House Craig James and Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Lenz.

Horgan also pointed out that Wilkinson had previously mockedPlecasand questioned the validity ofhis investigation.

"In December of last year, the leader of the Opposition called the Speaker a 'rogue'and 'out of control,'" saidHorgan.

The Plecasreport also raises questions about whether James was too closely aligned with the B.C. Liberals, even though his senior administrative position at the legislative assembly is supposed to be non-partisan.

See how the explosive events unfolded over two months:

How the B.C. Legislature spending scandal unfolded

6 years ago

Duration 3:49

Watch the timeline of events from when the scandal was first brought to public attention until the scathing 76-page report was released.

Horgan said, in particular, allegations of James expensing visits to former premier Christy Clark and other seniorLiberals are "absolutely appalling to the people of B.C."

James and Lenzwere escorted from the legislature by police on Nov. 20 after being suspended from their jobs.

The Plecasreporthas spurred a criminal investigationand two special prosecutorshave also been assigned to the case.

Horgan said the allegations in the report were the result of years of entitlement that the Liberals turned a blind eye to while in power.

Meanwhile, Auditor General Carol Bellringertold CBC she's done a lot to make the government more transparent, but wishes her office had moved faster to audit things like personal expense accounts.