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For the first time since that business relationship was revealed, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office said unequivocally on Thursday afternoon that the office “didn’t have any knowledge of the dealings noted in the [initial National Post] story.”

Sara MacIntyre also said the office is not responsible for background checks or financial disclosures, and referred those questions to the Privy Council Office. When asked whether the Prime Minister’s Office was concerned by the information that surfaced this week, Ms. MacIntyre said: “Certainly, that’s why we’re reviewing the issues.”

The Privy Council Office did not provide comment on Thursday evening regarding whether the office knew of Dr. Porter’s business dealings. The Montreal-based physician, who serves as the chief executive of the McGill University Health Centre, said earlier this week he could only recall that his curriculum vitae was reviewed by the office before his 2008 appointment, and that staff there “asked me lots of questions — I believe I’ve disclosed everything. They know what I do.”

In his Nov. 9 letter of resignation, which was accepted by Mr. Harper on Thursday, Dr. Porter said the media coverage “raised the spectre of a conflict of interest” and questioned his “good judgment.”

“As you are undoubtedly aware,” he wrote to Mr. Harper, “a National Post article that was published on November 8 challenged my credibility and contributions to Canada … I am very disappointed with the scurrilous portrayal. I am proud Canadian and man for whom integrity, honour and respect hold tremendous meaning.”