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Staley takes particular offence at suggestions Harper may have somehow influenced the government’s decision to charge Duffy with 31 counts of fraud, breach of trust and bribery.

“Contrary to the views expressed by some commentators, no one could believe that my client’s interests were served by criminal charges against Mr. Duffy that were certain to play out through the 2015 federal election.

“My client played no role in the decision to charge Mr. Duffy.”

In fact, Staley says he told Harper that he seriously doubted the charge against Duffy of accepting an alleged $90,000 bribe from Harper’s chief of staff, Nigel Wright, would ever prevail in court.

“Of course, in Canada, the prime minister cannot influence criminal charges, so my private views remained just that, and were shared only with my client.”

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Harper’s assertion was, and is, that the behaviour exhibited by Duffy was unacceptable, Staley writes. “It was and is my client’s view that public office demands a higher standard than conduct that falls short of criminality.”

Staley concludes his defence of Harper by suggesting federal auditor general Michael Ferguson “is likely” to launch a non-criminal review of Duffy’s senate travel and housing claims. (Ferguson’s office did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.)

“Outside of the courtroom, my client stood to account for the ethical behaviour of his organization. Indeed, it is hard to imagine how this responsibility could have been borne any more acutely. But in the context of continued institutional integrity, it has never been more important for authorities that can hold individuals to account, to live up to their duty and define the consequence of behaviour that falls short of criminal.”