Fredericton blogger arrested at legislature

Fredericton blogger Charles LeBlanc was arrested Wednesday at the legislature for trespassing.

LeBlanc has been banned from the legislaturegrounds for six years.

Hewas reportedly trying to get an interview with Energy MinisterMargaret-Ann Blaney, who hadannounced earlier in the day that she is resigning from politics to become the chief executive officer of Efficiency New Brunswick.

Fredericton police responded to a call from the legislature's sergeant-at-arms Daniel Bussires.

The Fredericton Police declined to comment, or even confirm that it was LeBlanc who was arrested.

In a written statement, Cpl. Rick Mooney said policeresponded to the legislature "regarding a complaint of assault.

"Officers arrested a 52-year-old male at that location for assault and subsequently transported the man to the Fredericton Police station,"Mooney said.

The man was released from police custody about 4 p.m., he said.

"The matter is still under investigation and police expect to have more to say on the matter on Thursday morning."

The arrest comes just days after LeBlanc and his lawyercalled for a public inquiryinto the Fredericton Police Force's handling of a raid atLeBlanc's home in January.

LeBlanc, who writes a controversial blog that is often critical of politicians and police officers, had his computer seized and was informed he would be facing charges of criminal libel.

He was accused of damaging the reputation of a city police officer in blog posts last summer.

But on May 4, theprovincial government announced it wouldnot be proceedingwith criminal libel chargesagainst LeBlanc.

The attorney general said in a statement that section of the Criminal Code of Canadahas been deemed unconstitutional in other jurisdictions and it was unlikely a New Brunswick court would come to a contrary decision.

Inquiry possible

Last week, Attorney General Marie-Claude Blais told CBC News she'snot ruling out a provincial inquiryinto the case.

Meanwhile, the city has launched a review of whether police acted properly.

Fredericton PoliceChief Barry MacKnight has stepped backfromthe third-party investigation. He said the process must be viewed as "credible and beyond reproach."

MacKnight hadpreviously said he would pickwho wouldconduct the review and establish the terms of reference.

LeBlanc could be facing an assault charge.

The banning notice he received in 2006 stated he would be charged with assault under the Criminal Code of Canada if he refused to stay away.

Arrested before

LeBlanc has often been spotted around the legislature since the ban was implemented, but he's only beenarrested once before, in April 2009.

LeBlanc, whohad beenattending a protest on the legislature's front lawn,was facingcharges of mischief and assault.

But the charges were never formally filed with the courts.

LeBlanc was permanently barred from entering any buildings or stepping on any property within the provincial legislature district in June 2006.

The barringnotice, posted onhis blog, accused him of demonstrating "unacceptable behaviour within the legislative precincts, which has included harassment and disrespectful behaviour toward legislative staff, members of the Security Detail and members of the public."

At the time, legislature officials said the ban was to ensure employees could work in a secure environment free of harassment.

LeBlanc was alsoarrested at an Atlantica conferenceprotest in 2006. He waslater acquittedof an obstruction charge related to that arrest.