Article content

OTTAWA — A former RCMP superintendent says he’s never seen the degree of political control over the Mounties that exists now, and says it “does not bode well” for an objective police investigation of the Senate expense scandal.

Gary Clement, a 30-year veteran of the force who spent more than half those years working in the national capital region, told CTV’s Question Period on Sunday that the thrust of the RCMP investigation will likely centre around Section 122 of the Criminal Code and breach of trust.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Former top Mountie says political control over RCMP doesn't bode well for Senate investigation Back to video

“From my read of the act and what’s been alleged through the media, I think they’ve got pretty strong grounds,” Clement said.

The Mounties are taking a preliminary look at the expenses of three senators, Mike Duffy, Patrick Brazeau and Mac Harb.

All three claimed housing expenses that were deemed inappropriate and have repaid, or are being asked to repay, tens of thousands of dollars.

In the case of Sen. Duffy, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s chief of staff Nigel Wright secretly gave him $90,000 to pay off his inappropriate expenses.