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VICTORIA — MLAs from all parties overseeing the legislature agreed to hire a retired judge to probe more allegations of wrongdoing at the capital, on the same day that a new report claiming misuse of taxpayers’ money was released by Speaker Darryl Plecas.

The review by the retired judge is in addition to a workplace review and a forensic audit by the B.C. auditor general, and in addition to a separate police investigation. NDP House Leader Mike Farnworth said the co-operation between his party, the Liberals and the Greens was necessary for the good of the legislature.

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“I think all three parties around that table take this issue very seriously,” he said. “I know everyone likes to think we’re always at each other’s throats, but the reality is we have to come together on this issue … The public demands that.”

Photo by Mike Bell / Postmedia News

The legislature spending scandal began in November when clerk Craig James and sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz were suspended and escorted out of the building by police. After investigating both men for almost a year, Plecas released a bombshell report in January into alleged misspending by both men.