BASI COULDN'T DO HIS JOB AFTER RAID, SAYS COLLINS

Minister Returns From Vacation To Explain Why His Aide Was Fired

David Basi was fired because he couldn't do his job effectively after
his office was raided in a drugs and commercial crime probe, says his
former boss, Finance Minister Gary Collins.

"It's a very tough job," said Collins, who is also government house
leader. "It does require a lot of interaction with all sorts of
players, particularly the Opposition."

Basi was fired on Monday by Martyn Brown, Premier Gordon Campbell's
chief of staff, who concluded Basi's continued presence could distract
from the government's agenda.

The day before, police raided Basi's office, located within Collins'
ministry office at the legislature, and the office of Robert Virk,
ministerial assistant to Transportation Minister Judith Reid.

Virk has been suspended with pay.

Virk was only suspended, said Collins, because his role was not as
broad as Basi's.

"A judgment call was made that David would be unable to do that job in
an effective manner," Collins said Wednesday after returning from a
Hawaii vacation to deal with the crisis.

Basi dealt with cabinet ministers and Opposition MLAs to help steer
legislation through the house.

Collins said he agreed with the decision to fire Basi.

He said political staff like Basi are always expendable. "It may not
appear fair on the surface but it's a judgment call and it's made in
the best interests of the public, and that decision was made."

Collins did not rule out rehiring Basi.

"I expect that if this were completely resolved and there was nothing
there whatsoever, then obviously I would like to see him back, but I
don't see that's going to happen in the near future."

Collins denied that Basi had a role in developing the forthcoming
budget.

He said Basi did not attend cabinet or caucus meetings and did not
draft policy.

Nor did he have a significant role in the privatization of B.C. Rail,
aside from talking to members of the legislature about issues arising
from the policy, said Collins.

He said he believes the B.C. Rail deal will withstand any scrutiny. "I
have no reason to think it wouldn't.''

No charges have been laid against Basi or Virk, both key organizers
for the federal and provincial Liberals. A special prosecutor has been
appointed to oversee the investigation into any alleged criminal
misconduct because of their government affiliation.

Collins said he met Basi in 1992 when Basi was a legislative intern.
He hired Basi after the Liberals were elected in 2001, especially
because he knew the MLAs.

"I thought he would be very good in that regard and he was exceptional
in that and I think I have a very good relationship with caucus
members because of that," he said.

Collins said he never had any concerns about Basi. "I've known him for
a long time. I like him. I have no sense whatsoever over the years
that there was ever any concern with anything that he was doing. I
think he has done an effective job for me in his role that we've asked
him to do, that I have asked him to do, and I hope this works out the
best for him and his family."

Collins said he will return to Hawaii on Sunday to continue his
vacation.

Police said the raids at the legislature are part of a long-term
investigation into drugs and organized crime. They have been
tight-lipped about the probe, but say it does not involve elected officials.

Today, representatives of media outlets including The Province will
appear in B.C. Supreme Court to request the release of the search
warrants behind last Sunday's raids.