Former ombudsman says he warned Sajjan about allegations against Gen. Vance 3 years ago

Canada's former military ombudsman said today he warnedDefence Minister Harjit Sajjanabout possible sexual misconduct involving Gen. Jonathan Vance in his final meeting with the minister three years ago.

Gary Walbourne appearedbefore a Parliamentary committee today todelivera blistering indictment of Sajjan'shandling ofthe allegationagainst Vancechief of the defence staff at the time during a private meeting on March 1, 2018.

"I did tell the minister what the allegation was. I reached into my pocket to show him the evidence I was holding. He pushed back from the table and said, 'No,' and I don't think we exchanged another word," Walbourne said.

The meeting ended, Walbourne said,when he asked Sajjan for directionon what to do about the allegation.

"I wanted the minister to do his job," he said. "There was no book. There was no manual about what to do with an allegation against the chief of the defence staff."

'I will not reveal the name'

Walbourne refused to get into the substance of the allegation against Vance, saying the complainant had told himshe was not filing a formal complaint.

"I had explained to minister Sajjan that the complainant has approached me only after the assurance of confidentiality," he said. "I will not reveal the name of the complainant or the details of the complaint, for this is their story to tell, not mine."

Much of whatWalbourne had to tell the committee was first reported by CBC News, quoting confidential sources, in a series of stories over the pastmonth.

But his committee appearance today offeredthe first officialpublic accountof what was said in the meeting, and callsSajjan's actions into question.

The meeting representedthe nadirof a poisonedrelationship between Walbourne and Sajjan thatled to the watchdog's resignation and early departure from the post later that year.

Walbourne walked the committee through a separate workplace harassment investigation of his office, suggesting it was a political vendetta that only accelerated after the acrimonious meeting with Sajjan.

The House of Commons defence committee is investigating what the Liberal government knew, and when, about allegations of sexual misconduct involving Vance.

Sajjan has declined repeatedlyto discuss theconcerns Walbourne raised with him, citing confidentiality. He has insisted thatwhenever "allegations" were brought to him, he handed them to the "appropriate authorities."

WATCH | Former ombudsman said Sajjan was told about allegations against Gen. Vancethreeyears ago:

Sajjan told about allegations against Gen. Vance 3 years ago, former ombudsman says

4 years ago

Duration 2:04

Former military ombudsman Gary Walbourne told a parliamentary committee that he warned Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan about allegations of sexual misconduct against former chief of the defence staff Gen. Jonathan Vance three years ago. Sajjan said last week the allegations came as a surprise last month.

Late Wednesday, Sajjan responded to Walbourne's committee testimony.

"I disagree with parts of the testimony that occurred in committee today," the minister said without citing theparts he took issue with.

"As I have stated, I was as shocked as everyone else at the allegations that were made public last month. I can assure the committee, and all Canadians, that any allegations that were brought forward were very quickly put forward to the proper authorities, while respecting the need to protect the privacy of any individuals involved. Any suggestion that I have done otherwise is wrong."

Throughoutthe committee hearing, Liberal MPs asked what Walbourne expected the minister to do with an informal complaint made by an alleged victim whorefused to come forward.

Walbourne said that, theday after he toldSajjan about the complaint, hewas called to the Privy Council Office, where he was asked about the allegation.

"I was shocked they knew about it. I was completely floored when they asked about the allegation involving the chief of the defence staff," he said, noting that he had asked Sajjan to keep the matter confidential.

The Privy Council Office review, however, was stymied by Walbourne's refusal to separately turn over potentially incriminating emails and the name of the female military member who had complained informallyto him about Vance.

Without those leads, senior officials appeared unable to pursue concerns he had raised, both in writing and in the meeting with Sajjan.

The Privy Council Office is responsible for the conduct of governor-in-council appointments such as the defence chief.The government has not saidwhether PCO shared the concerns with the Prime Minister's Office.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said publicly he first learned about theallegations against Vance through a Global News report last month. Thatreport alleged the former top commander had had a long-standing, inappropriate relationship with a female subordinate, and separately had sent a racy email to a junior female non-commissioned officer.