Guergis not welcome back: Tories - Action News
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Guergis not welcome back: Tories

Former Conservative cabinet minister Helena Guergis will never be readmitted to the Tory caucus, CBC News has learned.

Matter 'is behind us,' source says

Formercabinetminister Helena Guergis, who was booted out of the Conservative caucus after Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he learned of "serious" allegations relating to her conduct, will never be readmitted, CBC News has learned.

A senior government source told CBC News that the matter "is behind us."

Guergis, theMP for the Ontario riding of Simcoe-Grey,now sits as an Independent. In April, Harper announced she hadresigned from cabinetand that"pending a resolution, she will sit outside the Conservative party caucus."

Harper did not provide details about the allegations, but he said they were serious andhehad immediately referred them to the Mounties, as well as to the commissioners for ethics and conflict of interest.

Although the probes into heralleged conduct have not been completed, the Tories have decided Guergis will never be allowed back in caucus.

The Conservative Partyhas alreadydropped Guergis as a future nominee in Simcoe-Grey. She is fighting this decision.

Guergis and her husband, former Edmonton Tory MP Rahim Jaffer,have been embroiled in a media storm that includes allegations of offshore financial accounts, illegal lobbying and conflicts of interest.

Inan interview with CBC's Peter Mansbridge, Guergis said the Tories never told her the specificsof the"serious allegations" that prompted her dismissal. But the Conservatives have countered thatGuergis was told the specific allegations by aparty lawyer.

The Tories have also alleged that Jaffer used her office for business purposes, something Guergis denies.

She also has denied "absolutely false" allegations reported in the mediathat she and Jafferparticipated in a dinner with Toronto businessman Nazim Gillani that involved escorts and cocaine.

She characterized allegations that the couple have offshore accounts as "laughable," and denied her husband ever illegally lobbied the government.