Wilson-Raybould tells Commons she wants to 'speak my truth' on SNC-Lavalin, tells Liberals she's still on-side

Jody Wilson-Raybouldtold the House of Commons today she wants to tell her side ofthe SNC-Lavalinscandal now consuming official Ottawa, but she can't "waive" solicitor-client privilege on her own.

The former justice minister and attorney general rose to explain why she was abstaining from a vote on an NDP motion to hold a publicinquiry into alleged political interference in the criminal prosecution of the Quebec-based global engineering firm. Wilson-Raybouldsaid she would refrain from voting because she was personally involved in the matter.

"I understand fully that Canadians want to know the truth and want transparency," she said. "Privilege and confidentiality are not mine to waive, and I hope that I have the opportunity to speak my truth."

Wilson-Raybouldhas stayed silent on the allegation first reported by the Globe and Mail that she was pressured by figures in the PMO to direct the Public Prosecution Service of Canada to draft a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) (a legal tool resembling a plea deal)forSNC-Lavalin.

That would have allowed the global engineering firm to avoid criminal prosecution on bribery and fraud charges relatedto contracts in Libya. Wilson-Raybould hassaid sheremains bound by client-solicitor privilege and cannot comment; as the former attorney general, she served as the government's top lawyer.

Wilson-RaybouldquitTrudeau'scabinet last week just a weekafter Trudeau demoted her to the Veterans Affairs portfolio and just days after the Globe and Mail report.

Wilson-Raybould's surprise abstention from the vote on the NDP motion came just hours after she reassured the Liberal caucus that she was fully on the team.

Multiple caucus sources told CBC News that when Wilson-Raybould spoke in a caucus meeting today, she said she fully supported the Liberal agenda especially on Indigenous issues.She did not discuss the specific allegationthat she was pressured to intervene in SNC-Lavalin's case, but repeated her line that she was seeking legal advice onwhat she's permitted to say.

Several MPs told CBC News that her presence at the caucus meetingand the team-focused message she delivered there was taken by Liberals asa good sign though they expressed concern about their inability to predict what Wilson-Raybould might do or say next.

Liberals urged to avoid media

Multiple MPs told CBC News the theme of the caucus meeting was largely a call for unity aftera very rough few weeks for theTrudeaugovernment. They said dozens of MPs went to the microphone to say that they are a team and needto pull together.

Many also urged their colleagues not to speak to the media, warning thatit could undermine the government.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau conceded to his MPs at the caucus meeting that he has not handled this controversy as well as he could have, and apologized for the fact that they've been left in the dark by the fast-moving controversy, according to Liberal MPs who spoke to CBC News on condition they not be named.

Those MPssaid that caucus chair Francis Scarpaleggiaasked all staff even those from the Prime Minister's Office to exit the meeting, leavingonly MPs in the room.

The NDP's motion would have launched a public inquiry into the allegations and called on the government to waive client-solicitor privilege in theSNC-Lavalinaffair.

Conservatives supported the motion. Itwas defeated by the Liberal majority in a 134-160 vote. Two Liberal MPs, NathanielErskine-Smithand Wayne Long, broke ranks and voted with the opposition.

Trudeauhas asked Justice Minister and Attorney General David Lametti to review the matter of solicitor-client privilege in this case. Wilson-Raybould has retained retired Supreme Court justice Thomas Cromwell to advise her on what she can and can't say.

Earlier today, Trudeau apologized to Wilson-Raybouldtoday for what he called "absolutely unacceptable" comments and cartoons about the former justice minister linked to the swelling scandal.

"I wasn't quick enough to condemn, in unequivocal terms, the comments and commentary and cartoons about her last week," Trudeau told reporters before facing another bruising round of questions aboutSNC-Lavalinin the Commons. "They were absolutely unacceptable and I should have done it sooner."

Trudeaudidn't specify which comments inspired his apology. Recently, the Canadian Pressran a storyquoting anonymous sourceswho described Wilson-Raybould as someone who had "become a thorn in the side of the cabinet" before she was shuffled to Veterans Affairs last month. She was also described as "someone ... [who] was difficult to get along with, known to berate fellow cabinet ministers openly at the table, and who others felt they had trouble trusting."

Several political cartoonists taking off on the SNC-Lavalinscandal portrayedWilson-Raybouldbound, gagged and beaten a reference to Wilson-Raybould refusingto comment on the scandal publicly because of solicitor-client privilege.

Earlier today, Trudeau suggested a public inquiry isn't necessary to get to the bottom of the SNC-Lavalin affair.

Heading into the caucus meeting, hedid not rule out an inquirybut said the Commons justice committee is "seized" with the issue and noted the ethics commissioner also has launched an investigation.

"We'll be hearing from (Wilson-Raybould), we'll be hearing from experts, we'll be hearing from a range of people. (The committee)will make the determination as to who it needs to hear from," he said."It is important that there be an airing on this situation at the same time as we continue to work on a broad range of big issues that matter."

Scarpaleggiasaid he has "a lot of faith" in the justice committee process and doesn't think a public inquiry is necessary.

"Personally, I don't see a need for one," he said.

MPs left the caucus meeting with littleto say publicly about the mood in the room. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the investigations by the justice committee and the ethics commissioner willunfold in a "careful, logical and orderly fashion."

After a two-hour closed door meeting Tuesday, members of the justice committee emerged with a list of witnesses that includesa handful of academics andLametti,in addition to Wilson-Raybould.

The hearings were tentatively scheduled to begin this afternoon, but were delayed due to scheduling issues with potential witnesses. On Thursday, Lametti is scheduled to testify, as isNathalie Drouin, deputy minister of justice and deputy attorney general, and Michael Wernick, clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to the cabinet.

Wilson-Raybouldis not expected to appear before the committee until next week.

Today, she said she respects the committee process. She also acknowledged that the question of whether her appearance will be meaningful given the potentiallimitations on what she can say is "an appropriate one."

"I want to be able to ensure that I'm confident in what I can and can't say," she said on her way in to the weekly Liberal caucus meeting.

"I know this is frustrating for many people. I'm committed to ensuring that I know what I can and cannot say as I'm getting legal advice around privilege."

Key players not invited to committee

Conservatives and New Democrats have accused the Liberals of blocking key players from appearing before the justice committee among them Gerry Butts, who suddenlyresigned Monday from his position as Trudeau'stop adviser.

Wilson-Raybouldsurprised many Tuesday when she emergedfrom the cabinet room in the afternoonafter addressing Trudeauand his ministers.

Today, Trudeausaid she had askedto address her former cabinet colleagues.

"I think it's extremely important that everyone have an opportunity to hear the different perspectives in this situation," he said.

After Wilson-Raybould abstained from today's vote, the Conservatives and NDP said Trudeau and Lamettialso should have abstained because they are directly involved in the matter.

House Speaker Geoff Regandid not immediately rule on the matter, instead taking time to review precedent.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said it was not improper forTrudeau to vote, noting that in the Westminster parliamentary system the "client" is the government, not the individual prime minister.