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A spokesman for the Premier’s office said Atwal was invited inadvertently, and steps are being taken to tighten the vetting of the guest list. The official said another guest asked for an extra ticket. Since there were some seats available, the request was granted.

The guest supplied Atwal’s name to the Premier’s office one day before the event. Staff in charge of processing the list did not check his name thoroughly, so he attended.

“If we had been aware of his background, he would not have been invited,” the official said.

Atwal sat in the upper reaches of the assembly hall, in the public gallery. Partway through the budget speech, sources say he moved for a time to a vacant row of seats behind the Speaker’s chair, normally reserved for the press gallery.

Two members of the legislature, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they noticed him in the chambers.

They expressed dismay Monday about his presence.

On special occasions such as budgets, the legislature is locked down hours beforehand. The public galleries are closed to walk-in visitors and only people on the approved guest list are allowed to watch.

After winning the fraud case against Atwal and others, ICBC issued a statement last August that quoted the minister responsible for the corporation, Shirley Bond, saying: “This court ruling makes it clear that there will be serious consequences for people who commit fraud in our province.”

Victoria Times Colonist