ABBOTT SURPRISED BY VICTORIA RAIDS

For the second year in a row, the Christmas break brought a political
scandal for B.C. Liberals.

Shuswap MLA George Abbott says he was "surprised and concerned" to learn the
RCMP had raided offices in the legislative buildings in Victoria. He learned
of the activity through the media.

The searches were at the offices of David Basi, Finance Minister Gary
Collins' ministerial assistant, and Bob Virk, Transportation Minister Judith
Reid's ministerial assistant.

Both men are active members of the federal Liberal party and Basi has ties
as a fund-raiser for Paul Martin.

Basi was fired and Virk was suspended with pay.

The RCMP are remaining tight-lipped about the nature of the investigation,
but media sources are reporting it is connected to a probe about illegal
drugs and organized crime.

Abbott says he knows all the ministerial assistants, including Basi.

"I was surprised an issue of that character would be in and around the
legislature," he said.

Searches have also taken place at homes of other Liberal party organizers -
including the brother of Deputy Premier Christy Clark.

Many of the people targeted by police have long-standing connections to the
provincial or federal Liberals, or both, and some have been associated
through various business ventures in B.C.

Abbott says he has no comment as to what political impact the raids may have
on the provincial Liberals.

"We are looking forward to all of the issues being answered in the coming
period," he says.

Last year, the holiday break brought news of Premier Gordon Campbell's
arrest in Maui for drunk driving.