Liberal leader praises MLA for being 'open and transparent'

Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil is defending MLA Michel Samson and his decision to ask the province's Conflict of Interest Commissioner to look at his living expenses.

The liberal MLA for Richmond, currently serving his fifth term,has asked for that review following questions put to him by a CBC reporter.

Samson, his wife and child have been renting a house in Halifax forsix years.

He's claiming the maximum rental allowance of $1,470per month for that house.

The house also happens to be owned by a close friend and political contributor.

Under the rules of the Nova Scotia legislature, the house can't be a primary residence, nor can it profit any person "associated" to Samson.

McNeil said he's confident Samson has acted properly.

"Michel has been very open and transparent with the reporter when they asked," he said.

"He's been open and transparent with the speaker's office and I'm very proud of the fact that he immediately came in and said he wanted to hand this to a third party, the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, and have someone review it to validate the fact that he's done nothing wrong."

McNeil said Samson has been open and transparent in dealing with this issue.