Pallister won't run to lead Manitoba Tories

Manitoba MP Brian Pallister has decided not to run for the leadership of the provincial Progressive Conservative party.

The Conservative MP said he has no regrets about his decision, but acknowledged it was the most difficult one of his political career. He made the announcement in his riding of Portage-Lisgar at a thank-you luncheon for his federal campaign volunteers.

Pallister, who had been considered a potential front-runner in the provincial race, has been holding meetings in communities around Manitoba to gauge support for a possible run to replace outgoing Tory leader Stuart Murray this April.

His tour has raised controversy among his federal colleagues.

• FROM FEB. 14, 2006: Ethics watchdog asked to examine MP's expenses

Earlier this week, Manitoba Liberal MP Anita Neville asked the federal ethics commissioner to investigate Pallister's expenses to determine whether he was using federal office resources for trips that could improve his political career provincially.

Officials at the ethics commissioner's office said the information will be reviewed before deciding whether an investigation is warranted.