Questions abound in B.C. legislature about who knew what, when in Jinny Sims case

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson is questioning why then-minister Jinny Sims was allowed to keep her phone and computer until the special prosecutor investigation arose Friday.

“The first thing you do when the allegations arise is preserve the record,” he said during Question Period in the legislature on Tuesday. “Instead, the accused perpetrator over there took her machinery home.”

Sims resigned from the New Democrat cabinet following an announcement that the special prosecutor had been appointed amid an investigation by the RCMP.

Attorney General David Eby responded to Wilkinson, shooting down suggestions the records haven’t been kept.

QP underway again @BCLegislature – off the top, @bcliberals continue questioning of allegations against @jinnysims (now being investigated by special prosecutor) about misusing her position. This came up in the house last session#bcpoli

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) October 8, 2019

“[I’m] making sure that everybody knows the government is fully committed to preserving any records that are a matter of concern.”

Sims says she didn’t intentionally avoid proper communication channels nor did she use her title to help with visa applications.

The opposition said the government is being flippant about the accusations.

“Perhaps it won’t be so amusing if the member for Surrey-Panorama is convicted, Wilkinson said.

RELATED: Horgan says he’s confident former minister Jinny Sims can ‘clear the air’

But Premier John Horgan bristled at suggestions he allowed Sims leeway, saying when a special prosecutor was named, action was swift.

“That investigation is underway and I know at least one member of the bar on the other side should understand that, and we should let that investigation run its course,” he said.

Horgan added when the government learned months ago of the allegations, action was taken right away.

.@bcliberals asking about internal investigation into allegations. @jjhorgan says they looked into it, closed file. Then Friday a special prosecutor appointed. Libs essentially questioning Horgan’s judgement for closing file that’s now being investigated. #bcpoli

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) October 8, 2019

“We looked into those allegation, they were unfounded, we closed the file. There is an investigation underway.”

And he says when the RCMP investigation began Sims quickly resigned from cabinet and handed over her devices.

Sims said in a statement on Friday that her name would be cleared and that the specific allegations against her, which haven’t been made public, have no credibility.