Liberals voice support for embattled rapporteur Johnston, as MPs debate asking him to step down

Federal Liberals say they continue to have confidence in David Johnston's work as foreign interference special rapporteur, despite opposition MPs calling for him to step down after recommending against a public inquiry. During debate, opposition MPs spoke about being targeted by China, while at committee former federal security officials voiced support for an inquiry.

Federal Liberals say they continue to have confidence in David Johnston's work as foreign interference special rapporteur, despite opposition MPs calling for him to step down after recommending against a public inquiry.

"Mr. Johnston is a person who has served his country in an extraordinary way over the years… He's someone who has shown his commitment to this country and the work he's done on this report is exceptional," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in French on his way in to question period on Tuesday.

"Mr. Johnston was very clear in his well-founded recommendation: it's not a public inquiry that’s needed in this situation, it's public hearings, community meetings with Canadians over the course of the summer, that will address people’s concerns," Trudeau continued.

Asked Tuesday if he thought that Johnston was still best person to hold public hearings, a next step in his job that Johnston appears to have decided on unilaterally, Government House Leader Mark Holland said he does not have any questions about the former governor general's credibility.

"He's somebody who served this country with distinction for his entire life, and I think frankly it's a little disappointing the way in which he is being personally attacked," Holland told reporters. "I do believe Canadians have confidence in Mr. Johnston."

While suggesting the other parties need to set aside their "differences" to tackle the issue of foreign meddling in Canadian democracy, Holland said the way the opposition parties are handling the allegations of Chinese interference have become "unhelpful."

"This is something that is a lot bigger and a lot more important than… partisan politics," he said.