Crosbie grills cabinet minister over phone call to police, but Liberals deny any foul play

Fiery accusations over a single phone call opened question period at the House of Assembly Monday, revealing lurking suspicion from the PC Partyabout Liberal ties to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

The rapid-fire, Opposition-led interrogation took place one week after CBCNews reported details ofthe breach of confidence that led to aLiberal caucus member having her cellphones seized and losing her place in cabinet.

PC Leader Ches Crosbiedemanded Mondayto know why the premier hadn't yet removedTourism Minister BernardDavis from cabinet, insinuating that Davis had phoned the RNC chief with the intention of meddling in an RCMP investigation of his fellow Liberal member, MHA Sherry Gambin-Walsh.

That investigation eventually found wrongdoing, determining thatGambin-Walsh had disclosed confidential information about an RNC promotion to one of the force's inspectors.

The RCMPdid not file charges, however, noting that no one benefited from the action.

• Sherry Gambin-Walsh will not face charges after RCMP investigation

Gambin-Walsh acknowledged to CBCNews last week that she made a mistake.

Davis, meanwhile,did make a call to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary around the time the investigation went public, but no charges have been laid in regards to that call.

Davis told reporters he talked to Boland in general terms, and did not ask about the Gambin-Walsh investigation.

"That wasn't part of the discussion at all," he said outside the House of Assembly. "It was talking about, in general terms, how he was doing. Because I could hear through the media and other sources that he was having a hard time within the police force."

WATCH | Tourism Minister Bernard Davis insists he did not ask RNC Chief Joe Boland about an investigation during a conversation:

Tories call for tourism minister to be pulled from cabinet

4 years ago

Duration 1:54

Tourism Minister Bernard Davis denies he asked the chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary how an investigation was going

"I was happy with the results of the investigation as they were provided," said Premier Andrew Furey, in response to Crosbie'ssuggestion of interference. "There's nothing further to add here."

On March 10, RNC Chief Joe Boland received a call from Davisasking how the investigation was going, according to the search warrant. Chief Boland told him he could notdiscuss it.

Davis on Monday acknowledged that phone callbut denied that he asked about the investigation into Gambin-Walsh.

Davis denies interference

Crosbiefurther grilled the caucus, asking Daviswhen he first learned about the RCMP investigation.

"The chief reached out to me on the fifth of March, to ask me the process," Davis said. "I didn't know there was going to be an investigation until it came out publicly."

"We'll all have to remain in a state of suspended mystery as to why the chief of police would reach out to the minister of tourism," Crosbie replied.

He then asked Davis whether he believed it was appropriate to call the chief about an ongoing criminal investigation involving a colleague.

Davis again denied wrongdoing. "I didn't know there was one," he said.

"I called the chief of police on a personal matterthat was dealing with how he was dealing with other things that were happening within the police force at the time, that I had heard through the grapevine.

"All I was doing was asking how a gentleman I had known for over 20 years was dealing with it."

Davis added that long-term relationship is why Boland called him five days earlier looking for advice on how to proceed with the RCMP investigation.

Davis said he referred him to the Department of Justice at that time.

Boland declined an interview request on the matter. "Chief Boland is unable to provide further discussion as this is related to an ongoing investigation," a spokesperson told CBC News.

The RCMPdid not confirm or deny an ongoing investigation of Liberal and RNC dealings. However, a spokesperson saidthe RCMPhas received some information that is currently being assessed.

"Assessment would happen prior to any decision on initiating an investigation," the spokesperson said.

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador