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OTTAWA — The prime minister is jetting out of Ottawa today, leaving behind one of the worst political storms ever faced by his Conservative government, to contemplate a trade alliance membership in South America that many consider unnecessary.

Before he left, though, Stephen Harper addressed the Conservative caucus, though he did not talk specifically about his right-hand man, Nigel Wright, who resigned Sunday as a result of his role in a ballooning controversy involving the disallowed expenses of Sen. Mike Duffy.

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Wright wrote Duffy a personal cheque for $90,000 to cover the senator’s improper housing claims, a quiet transaction critics say violates ethics rules prohibiting senators from accepting gifts.

The embattled Duffy quit the Conservative caucus last Thursday. Sen. Pamela Wallin, who is facing her own expenses audit, “recused” herself from caucus on Friday.

The expenses controversy is fast becoming one of the most serious challenges faced by Harper’s administration — MP’s have been hearing from upset constituents, the ethics commissioner is investigating the matter and the NDP yesterday asked the RCMP to probe Wright’s actions as well.