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Harper made the comments at a news conference in Cali, Colombia, where he spent the day meeting with Latin American leaders.

He said he knows of no formal deal between Wright and Duffy beyond the terms that have already been made public.

“It’s been very clear. Mr. Wright gave Mr. Duffy money so that what he felt was the right thing should be done, and Mr. Duffy should repay the money he owes taxpayers. Obviously Mr. Wright will be answering to the ethics commissioner on the propriety of those actions.”

Harper was also asked whether Duffy should resign his Senate seat. That’s up to the Senate, he said.

The scandal — allegations of interference by the PMO into a review of Duffy’s dubious expenses — grew Thursday as the Conservative in charge of the probe admitted he got advice from Harper’s team during the process.

Sen. David Tkachuk, one of a three-member special sub-committee studying Duffy’s housing expenses, told Maclean’s magazine that he spoke to people in Harper’s office — including Wright — about the issue.

Tkachuk and other Conservatives on the larger internal economy committee are facing allegations that they whitewashed a report into Duffy’s expenses.

Harper brushed questions about his office’s interference aside.

“Senator Tkachuk said he consulted widely on the committee’s mandate and the committee’s findings, including with members of the opposition. He also says he and his committee were directed by no one, that they took their own decision,” Harper said.