Read more: Liberals ignored CSIS warning on 2019 candidate accused in Chinese interference probe, sources say In an emailed statement to Global News sent Tuesday, Dong confirmed that he had a discussion with Consul General Han, but disputed that he initiated it and also denies that he advised Beijing to delay releasing Kovrig and Spavor from prison.“I raised the status of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig and called for their immediate release,” he wrote.“At every opportunity before they returned home, I adamantly demanded their release to Canada without delay.
Any suggestions otherwise are false and are attempts to mislead you and your readers, and slander me.”The Prime Minister’s Office said it only became aware of the two-year-old conversation following Global News’ inquiries about it.PMO spokesperson Alison Murphy wrote that her office “only became aware that a conversation took place after Mr.
Dong told us, following recent media questions.”Murphy also suggested that the MP was not acting at the behest of his government. “At no time was Mr.