A group of five former federal and provincial attorneys-general have sent a letter to the RCMP requesting the agency investigate “potential criminality” regarding alleged political interference from the government over the prosecution of Quebec engineering giant SNC-Lavalin.

The letter was signed by Peter MacKay, justice minister under Stephen Harper from 2013-2015; Douglas Grinslade Lewis, attorney general from 1989-1990; Jonathan Denis, Alberta justice minister from 2012-2015; Cecil Clarke, Nova Scotia attorney-general from 2007-2009, and Colin Gabelmann, attorney-general of British Columbia from 1991-1995.

Four of the signatories are either a member of the Conservative or the Progressive Conservative Party. Gabelmann is a member of the New Democrats.

In the letter, they cite Jody Wilson-Raybould’s testimony on Wednesday to the House of Commons justice committee as having “exposed a disturbing pattern of events,” originating from the Prime Minister and the PMO.

Based on her statement, the group says “there is reason to believe that pressure and interference did occur.

“Per section 139(2) of the Criminal Code, it is prohibited to attempt to obstruct, pervert or defeat the course of justice,” the letter read.

“We believe there are reasonable and probable grounds to suspect that the conduct of the Prime Ministers’ Office has crossed that threshold.”

The group also cited 423.1(1) of the Criminal Code, which prohibits attempts to intimidate the Attorney General.

“In our shared view, ordinary Canadians, who do not benefit from political connections have been charged under these sections with much less evidence.”

Read more:

Was it interference? We asked experts to analyze Jody Wilson-Raybould’s statement on SNC-Lavalin

Opinion | Susan Delacourt: Liberal MPs are rattled in the wake of Wilson-Raybould’s revelations

Deal for SNC-Lavalin could still be on the table, says Trudeau’s public services minister

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Ilya Bañares is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @ilyaoverseas

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