Special prosecutor resigns in Heed case

The special prosecutor who cleared newly reinstated solicitor general Kash Heed of wrongdoing has resigned.

Terrence Robertson quit the job on Tuesday, saying his law firm, Harper Grey LLP, donated $1,000 to Heed's political campaign. The news came just hours after B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell announced Heed had been reinstated as solicitor general.

On Monday, it was announced that Robertson's investigation into Heed's 2009 election campaign cleared Heed of any wrongdoing.

Heed had stepped down from office in April when it was revealed the RCMP was conducting an investigation into his campaign in the Vancouver-Fraserview riding. The investigation was related to an unregistered election campaign brochure, which accused the NDP of planning to legalize heroin and cocaine and said the party would consider instituting an inheritance tax.

'[Heed] has no credibility staying on as solicitor general.' New Democrat MLA Mike Farnworth

Two of Heed's campaign workers were charged with a variety of offences, but it was determined Heed had no prior knowledge of the pamphlets.

In a letter outlining the reasons for his resignation, Robertson said he was aware of the contribution before taking on the investigation, but said he "did not believe that it was a conflict of interest" that would preclude him from acting as special prosecutor.

Robertson said that upon further reflection, he has concluded that continuing as special prosecutor would provoke "comment from the public and the media" as to whether he is sufficiently independent.

Robertson said he has "complete confidence" his investigation was entirely objective.

Heed to remain in office

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday evening, the newly reinstated Heed indicated he would retain his post as solicitor general.

Heed said he has done nothing wrong.

"It was reviewed by an independent special prosecutor. The findings exonerated me and I'm living by that right now and we are ready to move forward."

Heed said he hasnever met Robertson or had any dealings with his law firm.

Attorney General Mike de Jong told reporters he was disappointed by Robertson's resignation.

"It's frustrating, you know? I'm angry," he said.

"We have an independent process that everyone relies upon the public relies on it, the government relies upon it, and then something like this happens."

De Jong said a new prosecutor would be appointed in the case.

NDP calls for Heed's resignation

Meanwhile, New Democrat MLA Mike Farnworth said he was shocked when he heard the news.

"I was speechless, I was stunned and at first I thought, 'This is a joke.'"

Farnworth said both Heed's exoneration and the criminal charges laid against his campaign workers are "tainted."

"As far as I'm concerned, the premier has no choice but to reverse his decision and Mr. Heed must be out of cabinet immediately ... [Heed] has no credibility staying on as solicitor general," he said.

"The fact of the matter is that the special prosecutor who exonerated him is a donor to the B.C. Liberal Party and the idea that that was not disclosed at the beginning or that somehow that could not be seen as a conflict I find unbelievable."

Farnworth is calling for a complete review of the investigation.