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Close but no cigar as usual Everybody and his dog know I blog and Tweet all the commenta as CBC blocks them Here is what going down right now EH FED? http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2018/03/atwal-tired-of-being-raked-over-coals.html …-
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David is on CBC website, he always posts in the most liked comments section riding the coattails of top comments just before the stories close. This way if you scroll down you see his name and some comment he makes under every post. He must time it so it works out for him..lol
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/jaspal-atwal-shocked-devastated-sikh-terrorism-1.4567876
Jaspal Atwal 'shocked and devastated' by invite fallout, says he's no terrorist
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 08, 2018 2:12 PM ET
1104 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
Robert Uncle
And the Gong Show we call a government continues.
David Amos
@Robert Uncle Ya gotta love the Circus
Shirley Knot
If Atwal was truly remorseful
for his past actions, he would of stayed very clear of politics,
instead we see he has done nothing but since his release. And the
Liberals have accepted him into their vote getting at all costs, fold.
David Amos
@Shirley Knot Ol Terry of CBC
informed us long ago that the strange politicking of the Liberals with
Sikhs did not come without costs
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/b-c-sikhs-quit-liberals-to-protest-justin-trudeau-s-star-candidate-1.2866343
B.C. Sikhs quit Liberals to protest Justin Trudeau's 'star' candidate
Party stalwarts in Vancouver South nomination fight say Liberal leader 'manipulated'
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/b-c-sikhs-quit-liberals-to-protest-justin-trudeau-s-star-candidate-1.2866343
B.C. Sikhs quit Liberals to protest Justin Trudeau's 'star' candidate
Party stalwarts in Vancouver South nomination fight say Liberal leader 'manipulated'
Jill Bennet
It sounds to me that Atwal
did not get the invites to the diplomatic-parties through normal
channels. Someone did not follow normal procedure from our side of
things-- or made by an executive decision of some sort to forgo the
rules (Justin, Sarai?) or not heeding the better judgment of those with
expertise in diplomacy-- or there is no one there with better judgement
(ooops, and scary!). Whatever the case, it points back to us, Canada.
Justin shows terrible judgement to make claim that it's all India's fault-- or it's the judgement, the spin his handlers have come up with and if that's the case, maybe they should be fired. If Justin could think on his own, on the spot, rationally they problem could have been avoided, but he seems dependent on pre-prepared talking points (that they seem to get away with in Question Period for their base, but the scrutinizing Conservatives are certainly catching on-- but on a mission abroad-- and how funny is that because the Liberal supporters all boasted that this would be Justin's strong suit-- but it's hard when it's an empty suit to begin with). It points to incompetence on so many levels. This would not have happened with a Mulcair or a Rona Ambrose-- they're able to think on their own.
But Justin just keeps on his merry way, photo-oping, running from the situation, appearing to not learn anything at all from the situation. Prime Minister was not an entry-level position. Sarai-- whatever the exact nature of his involvement here-- we're not getting the facts from that either-- and I have no way of judging his competence from here-- I've not heard him speak, nor try to articulate.
Justin shows terrible judgement to make claim that it's all India's fault-- or it's the judgement, the spin his handlers have come up with and if that's the case, maybe they should be fired. If Justin could think on his own, on the spot, rationally they problem could have been avoided, but he seems dependent on pre-prepared talking points (that they seem to get away with in Question Period for their base, but the scrutinizing Conservatives are certainly catching on-- but on a mission abroad-- and how funny is that because the Liberal supporters all boasted that this would be Justin's strong suit-- but it's hard when it's an empty suit to begin with). It points to incompetence on so many levels. This would not have happened with a Mulcair or a Rona Ambrose-- they're able to think on their own.
But Justin just keeps on his merry way, photo-oping, running from the situation, appearing to not learn anything at all from the situation. Prime Minister was not an entry-level position. Sarai-- whatever the exact nature of his involvement here-- we're not getting the facts from that either-- and I have no way of judging his competence from here-- I've not heard him speak, nor try to articulate.
David Amos
@Jill Bennet "Justin shows terrible judgement to make claim that it's all India's fault"
YUP
YUP
Jill Bennet
@David Amos
Thanks :-)
Thanks :-)
Shirley Knot
Atwal's Lawyer acted rather unhinged..........what an angry man.
David Amos
@Shirley Knot I rather enjoyed it the Circus
Mike McNair
Some cases for new RCMP commis s ioner
Why the PMO issued a state ment agents in the India gov't invited Atwal
Dealings between Justin Trudeau and the Aga Kh aun
Dealings with Bill Morneau and inside knowledge of govt legislation
Will she be beholding to Justin and let things slide
Why the PMO issued a state ment agents in the India gov't invited Atwal
Dealings between Justin Trudeau and the Aga Kh aun
Dealings with Bill Morneau and inside knowledge of govt legislation
Will she be beholding to Justin and let things slide
Mike McNair
@Mike McNair
Sum more
Who is involved with the Pan a ma and the Para dise Papers
The Trudeau Found ation
Paay to Plaay with Justin Trudeau
Sum more
Who is involved with the Pan a ma and the Para dise Papers
The Trudeau Found ation
Paay to Plaay with Justin Trudeau
David Amos
@Mike McNair "Some cases for new RCMP commis s ioner"
Trust that I have lots of files for the Lady to review as well
Trust that I have lots of files for the Lady to review as well
Ryan Tulson
DUDE! You tried to murder someone. You are a terrorist!
David Amos
@Ryan Tulson Not exactly but the other dude was a Cabinet Minister
Mike McNair
With Atwal already having a
lawyer will Atwal be sueing the Canadian government for sslanderr by the
PMO saying Atwal is an agent of the Indian government. Will this be
another law suit that Justin will settle out of court for $10 big ones
David Amos
@Mike McNair Quite likely
Mike McNair
The Trudeau team are busy flag ging the words they do not like.
David Amos
@Mike McNair I suspect that is true
Jill Bennet
I'm glad Atwal came forward
to tell his side of the story-- that's a lot more than what we are
getting from Justin, Sarai, the PMO and Jean. As a civilian (regardless
of his history), ok sure he made that request, but who approved it? To
me, it just doesn't look like it was properly vetted, didn't go through
the normal channels-- it possibly went through back-channels-- those
aren't good.
Trump's campaign and administration were seeking to do work through back-channels with the Russians (Seychelles, Erik Prince; Kushner's attempt with Kislyak)-- this is where corruption, espionage, and criminal activities are able to flourish-- it goes under the radar of our own security, law enforcement and national security apparatus. Trump is damaging to the professional apparatus that's been set up for good security and accountability reasons-- prevents diplomatic embarrassment, prevents espionage within your administration, creates more transparency through accountability, so officials can't be bribed in such clandestine manners.
For the sake of democracy and our competence both domestically and internationally, our national security interests-- the rules and procedures that are in place ought to be attended to-- it is the responsibility for all public servants in the Service of Canada. Without that oversight, clarity in the Chain of Command, corruption can over-take it, people getting favours on the side, who you know, all that stuff that is anti-democratic, anti-Canadian democracy.
Trump's campaign and administration were seeking to do work through back-channels with the Russians (Seychelles, Erik Prince; Kushner's attempt with Kislyak)-- this is where corruption, espionage, and criminal activities are able to flourish-- it goes under the radar of our own security, law enforcement and national security apparatus. Trump is damaging to the professional apparatus that's been set up for good security and accountability reasons-- prevents diplomatic embarrassment, prevents espionage within your administration, creates more transparency through accountability, so officials can't be bribed in such clandestine manners.
For the sake of democracy and our competence both domestically and internationally, our national security interests-- the rules and procedures that are in place ought to be attended to-- it is the responsibility for all public servants in the Service of Canada. Without that oversight, clarity in the Chain of Command, corruption can over-take it, people getting favours on the side, who you know, all that stuff that is anti-democratic, anti-Canadian democracy.
Shirley Knot
@Jill Bennet Forget about Trump. these Liberals have been the Back Room Boys since Canada became Canada.
David Amos
@Jill Bennet" Without that oversight, clarity in the Chain of Command, corruption can over-take it,"
That is it in a nutshell Well put
That is it in a nutshell Well put
David Amos
@Shirley Knot History tells
us that the Conservatives had the Biggest Baddest Back Room Boys out of
the gate. Remember when and why MacDonald our first Prime Minister got
the bum's rush out of office?
Methinks many Canadians voted long ago and the drunken conservative cat came back obviously because the majority thought Canada's "natural governing party" under Mackenzie was not one bit better N'esy Pas?
Methinks many Canadians voted long ago and the drunken conservative cat came back obviously because the majority thought Canada's "natural governing party" under Mackenzie was not one bit better N'esy Pas?
Jill Bennet
@David Amos
Thanks for that validation-- I feel crazy sometimes looking at this craziness, just trying to make sense of it. It's a orange flag, not all is right, running smoothly, could be the tip of the iceberg. Nonetheless, I like to use the freedom we have hear to speak my mind about it-- the check of the people, when their checks have failed.
Thanks for that validation-- I feel crazy sometimes looking at this craziness, just trying to make sense of it. It's a orange flag, not all is right, running smoothly, could be the tip of the iceberg. Nonetheless, I like to use the freedom we have hear to speak my mind about it-- the check of the people, when their checks have failed.
Jason Martin
You don't get to decide who you are Atwal. Your actions and the public's perception of you is what decides what you are.
David Amos
@Jason Martin Which is it? Here Atwal is quoted saying he shocked and devastated' by invite fallout, says he's no terrorist.
But Here its claimed he had no axe to grind?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/atwal-trudeau-india-lawyer-1.4566803
"Gill said Atwal has no political axe to grind in his press conference today."
But Here its claimed he had no axe to grind?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/atwal-trudeau-india-lawyer-1.4566803
"Gill said Atwal has no political axe to grind in his press conference today."
thomas stewart
@david mccaig
"There's two sides to every story."
So, explain the Indian government's side.
"There's two sides to every story."
So, explain the Indian government's side.
David Amos
@thomas stewart I would be
happy to explain many things right after you people explain to me why
Amarjeet Sohi and his boss Mr Prime Minister Trudeau "The Younger" were
on Barry Winters side for years and as they argued me while running in
the last election then more importantly in the Federal Court of Canada.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/nobody-safe-from-edmonton-blogger-charged-with-hate-crime-1.4161015
'Nobody was safe from it': Edmonton blogger charged with rare hate crime targeted individuals across Canada
Police say Barry Winters, 62, made derogatory remarks about race, gender, politics
Roberta Bell · CBC News · Posted: Jun 14, 2017 5:38 PM MT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/nobody-safe-from-edmonton-blogger-charged-with-hate-crime-1.4161015
'Nobody was safe from it': Edmonton blogger charged with rare hate crime targeted individuals across Canada
Police say Barry Winters, 62, made derogatory remarks about race, gender, politics
Roberta Bell · CBC News · Posted: Jun 14, 2017 5:38 PM MT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/atwal-trudeau-india-lawyer-1.4566803
Nick Danger
I love it when convicted criminals say they are not criminals. Yes you are!
David Amos
@Nick Danger "I love it when convicted criminals say they are not criminals. Yes you are!"
Methinks it makes the Circus even more comical when a lawyer defends such a position against a Prime Minister and his many minions N'esy Pas?
Methinks it makes the Circus even more comical when a lawyer defends such a position against a Prime Minister and his many minions N'esy Pas?
Flip Wilson
He should be removed from Canada permanently.
Ronald Range
@Flip Wilson Why?
NORMAN JAMIESON
@Ronald Range He voted for Justin
Content disabled.
David Amos
@NORMAN JAMIESON ROTFLMAO
Flip Wilson
@Ronald Range
Because Canadians are 'shocked and devastated'.
Because Canadians are 'shocked and devastated'.
David Amos
@NORMAN JAMIESON Too Funny
Ethan R Wright
Time for a non confidence vote.
Roy Stephenson
@Ethan R Wright Sure, with Trudeau holding a majority, you want more time wasted. You think Trudeau will vote against himself?
David Amos
@Roy Stephenson "You think Trudeau will vote against himself?"
Nope but perhaps Trudeau "The Younger" may cry and apologize again then ask his new Lady RCMP Commissioner to investigate things.
Methinks that would be well worth the price of the Circus caused by a non confidence motion N'esy Pas?
Nope but perhaps Trudeau "The Younger" may cry and apologize again then ask his new Lady RCMP Commissioner to investigate things.
Methinks that would be well worth the price of the Circus caused by a non confidence motion N'esy Pas?
Simon Kung
He's a t e r r o r i s t. He does not disagree with the court's conclusions.
David Amos
@Simon Kung YUP
Harry Flemming
He was convicted .
Edward Peter
@Harry Flemming So are thousands of other Canadians , So?
David Amos
@Edward Peter "So?"
Thousands of Canadians were convicted of charges such as were brought against him correct?
Thousands of Canadians were convicted of charges such as were brought against him correct?
Al Heywood
Trudeau liberals keep lowering the bar for unethical behaviour.
Edward Peter
@Jonathan Dillard Did the Canadian Media get a copy of the Guest list, when did they get it, and did they check the names on it?
@Edward Peter It was CBC who exposed it remember?
Steve Timmins
Why would somebody who was driven to kill over political differences get involved with politics after his release from prison?
Sorry not buying it.
Sorry not buying it.
Edward Peter
@Shirley Knot
Have you heard of Conrad Black?
Have you heard of Conrad Black?
David Amos
@Edward Peter Trust that Conrad Black knows who I am but do you?
Steve Timmins
No attempting to kill an MP
is normal behavior. My question is why did he only serve 5 years out of
his 20 year sentence? Who helped him get early release?
Edward Peter
@Steve Timmins Almost nobody serves full time and he would get good behavior time off as most intelligent criminals would.
David Amos
@Edward Peter Mr Minet is
likely correct Liberals no doubt got him out early so he could continue
playing politics but it backfired on them all bigtime when Ol Terry of
CBC caught wind of it. Now the Liberals and the RCMP are trying to blame
Secret Indian Agents. Too Too Funny Indeed.
Trust that I am enjoying this Circus
Trust that I am enjoying this Circus
Walter Heisenberg
Leave Justin alone. He spoke about this in a broken voice with a Kleenex to his eyes. So that means it's all OK.
David Amos
@Walter Heisenberg "He spoke about this in a broken voice with a Kleenex to his eyes."
Stayed tuned the Circus just beginning. Mr Prime Minister Trudeau "The Younger" has yet to introduce us to his Lady RCMP Commissioner. Trust there will be lots of crying eyes within the"Red Serge" then.
Stayed tuned the Circus just beginning. Mr Prime Minister Trudeau "The Younger" has yet to introduce us to his Lady RCMP Commissioner. Trust there will be lots of crying eyes within the"Red Serge" then.
Atwal tired of being 'raked over the coals' in the media, says his lawyer
The former member of a banned extremist group is holding a press conference to 'set the record straight'
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 08, 2018 4:00 AM ET
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
Kevan Cleverbridge (Hill 70)
Five years for a 20 year sentence and you wonder why people have lost faith in the justice system.
David Amos
@Kevan Cleverbridge (Hill 70) 'set the record straight'
Yea Right
Yea Right
david mccaig
@Kevan Cleverbridge (Hill 70)
By comparison to Mr Atwal case. In 1989 Stephen Harper was a founding member of the Northern Foundation. The Northern Foundation was pro apartheid on South Africa. Stephen Harper stated Mandela was a terrorist and deserved to remain in jail for life.
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2013/12/16/Harper-Mandela/
By comparison to Mr Atwal case. In 1989 Stephen Harper was a founding member of the Northern Foundation. The Northern Foundation was pro apartheid on South Africa. Stephen Harper stated Mandela was a terrorist and deserved to remain in jail for life.
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2013/12/16/Harper-Mandela/
@david mccaig What of Air India and the failings of the RCMP and CSIS?
Ashley Zacharias
For someone who claims that
he has put his past behind him and just wants to get on with his life,
he's awfully eager to put himself in the spotlight at every opportunity.
I suspect that the friends and families of his victims and the victims
of his associates have a harder time than he does putting his crimes
behind him. Especially when they see him preening in front of the
cameras at every opportunity.
David Amos
@Ashley Zacharias Methinks it was Trudeau "The Younger" and his cohorts who put the spotlight on him this time N'esy Pas?
Ernies Zimmerman
Suck it up butter cup. Don't be a ter ror ist then.
David Amos
@Ernies Zimmerman Methinks there are lot of buttercups sucking up the hot water they put themselves in N'esy Pas?
Carl Street
Being good friends with Justin has it's drawbacks ...
Beverly Olsen
@Carl Street
These ( Trudeau & Atwal)are the guys I warned my kids to stay away from.
These ( Trudeau & Atwal)are the guys I warned my kids to stay away from.
David Amos
@Beverly Olsen Me Too
Marc Henry
I suspect he's rather
enjoying this period of fame, as he appears to enjoy finding his way
into high profile events and get his picture taken with high ranking
officials. It will be interesting to see if he says anything that
supports Daniel Jean's suggestion that in some way India's government
was involved. I suspect not though. And remember he's already asserted
that he and Justin are friends while Trudeau denies it. Should be
interesting indeed.
Hugh MacDonald
@Marc Henry
Interesting indeed!
Justin and the gang seem quite disappointed that this story hasn't disappeared into the void of the 24 hour news cycle.
Interesting indeed!
Justin and the gang seem quite disappointed that this story hasn't disappeared into the void of the 24 hour news cycle.
Marc Henry
@Hugh MacDonald
But boy did they try!
But boy did they try!
David Amos
@Hugh MacDonald Methinks Daniel Jean is particularly disappointed N'esy Pas?
Brett Mclaughlan
Then stay out of the media
problem solved, that said I don't see him being raked over the coals
near as much as the PM and PMO for inviting him or on other occasions
socializing with him at events.
It really is their poor judgement in question.
It really is their poor judgement in question.
David Amos
@Brett Mclaughlan YUP
John Jackson
Atwal and PM Ring Ding. Throw in Omar and Boyle.
Justin likes the Bad boys.
Justin likes the Bad boys.
laurie Hansen
@John Jackson
A lot of attention seeking women do
A lot of attention seeking women do
John Jackson
@laurie Hansen
Aye.
Aye.
David Amos
@laurie Hansen Mehinks that is why some ladies like me N'esy Pas?
Frank Dale
Scheer is in the UK trying to
patch up ourworld standing after that disaster in India. Trudeau? Hes
here with Bill Nye talking sciency stuff, sitting on a rubber mat and
eating crayons with his base voters. Sad.
David Amos
@Frank Dale Yea but ya gotta love the Circus when the Clowns act up
Mark timm
Yes a real model citizen.
Very hard to forget when so many people died and if that is what we are
supposed to do then why read history just forget after a few years
because bad things never repeat themselves or at least in the lib world.
Ulkas Vilderman
@Mark timm
Air India bombing was the same ideology. Atwal claims it's not a big deal anymore.
Air India bombing was the same ideology. Atwal claims it's not a big deal anymore.
David Amos
@Ulkas Vilderman Methinks a lot of ghosts on both sides of the dispute would disagree N'esy Pas?
hans grubermeister
The federal leader of the NDP
has been asked questions about Atwal and the India trip and in typical
political fashion had an answer totally irrelevant to the question.
Mary Clarke
@hans grubermeister
The NDP shouldn't be the ones under fire here.
The Liberals need to own this.
The NDP shouldn't be the ones under fire here.
The Liberals need to own this.
David Amos
@Mary Clarke I disagree
Jaspal Atwal 'shocked and devastated' by invite fallout, says he's no terrorist
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 08, 2018 2:12 PM ET
Jaspal Atwal, a man convicted of attempted murder for his role in an attack on an Indian politician, said today he's not a terrorist and is sorry for any "embarrassment" his invitation to an event at the Canadian High Commission in India might have caused.
When photographs surfaced of Atwal posing with Canadian officials in Mumbai, media in India and Canada asked how the convicted criminal was able to obtain a travel visa and secure invitations to formal events linked to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's official tour.
Speaking to reporters in Vancouver Thursday, Atwal said he has "nothing but regret and remorse" for his role in the 1986 attack on an Indian minister of state, adding he is no longer a supporter of the Sikh independence movement.
Atwal read from a prepared statement and refused to answer questions from reporters, leaving those to his lawyer.
"I, like the vast majority of Sikhs who once advocated for this cause, have reconciled with the nation of India," he said.
"I have nothing but regret and remorse for my actions and the suffering I caused to the victim. What I did was described as an act of terror by the judge who dealt with this matter. I accept full responsibility. I do not disagree with the court's conclusions."
Politics News
Atwal 'devastated' for causing embarrassment
00:00
02:33
Atwal said he has been active in Indo-Canadian politics for years — meeting with Liberal, Conservative and NDP politicians alike — and visited Parliament Hill three times in 2013 and 2014.
"I have met and been photographed with many politicians, from all parties," he said. "I have met many politicians who have wanted to reach out to the Indian community. I have had assisted with making sure the Indian community was able to communicate with politicians."
Atwal said he reached out to Liberal MP Randeep Sarai before the trip to India, asking if he could secure an invitation to the official reception with Trudeau at the Canadian High Commission. He said he "assumed there would be no problems" with his presence at the event.
'Political embarrassment'
"When my attendance became the news story that brings us here today, I was completely shocked and devastated," he said.
Atwal's lawyer, Rishi Gill, said his client went through the "proper channels" to get an invitation to the event, adding those who feign ignorance about his criminal past are being disingenuous.
"He was a political embarrassment to the prime minister, that's obviously accepted ... but let's make sure this is on the record — Mr. Atwal presents absolutely no security threat to this country or any other country."
Politics News
Atwal reads full statement to reporters
00:00
06:08
Jaspal Atwal reads a
statement expressing his embarrassment for becoming the focal point of
PM Justin Trudeau's recent visit to India. 6:08
Atwal said this was not his first visit to India since his release from custody, adding he travelled to his homeland twice in 2017 and received a visa from the Indian government without trouble.
"At all times I visited India lawfully and with the full permission of the Indian government," he said.
A senior government official with knowledge of the prime minister's security protocols suggested to reporters in a background briefing, arranged by the Prime Minister's Office, that Atwal's invitations were arranged by factions within the Indian government.
Conservatives later identified the official as Daniel Jean, Trudeau's national security adviser.
When asked about the notion that his client had been invited by rogue elements in the Indian government, Gill said he'd like the official who made that suggestion to go on the record with formal accusations.
"Mr. Atwal at no point has considered himself, or been approached in such a fashion by any Indian representative, that he would act as an agent of some sort. There was some bandying about of the word informant — that is not correct, he absolutely denies that," he said.
Atwal tired of being 'raked over the coals' in the media, says his lawyer
The former member of a banned extremist group is holding a press conference to 'set the record straight'
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 08, 2018 4:00 AM ET
Jaspal Atwal — the man convicted of
attempted murder whose appearance during Justin Trudeau's India tour led
to global humiliation for the prime minister — had every legal right to
be in India at the time and he's sick of being "raked over the coals"
in the media, says his lawyer.
Rishi Gill said Atwal — a former member of a banned Sikh separatist group who showed up in photos taken with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi during the India tour — is not a security threat and shouldn't be punished for something he did in the distant past.
Atwal is holding a press conference in Vancouver today to "set the record straight," Gill said.
CBCNews.ca will carry his remarks live starting at 1 p.m. ET.
"He was given a 20 year sentence [and] after five years the parole board found that he was a very low risk to re-offend," said the lawyer. "He's integrated back into society in exactly the most optimal manner we expect."
Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Indian cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu during a visit to Vancouver Island in 1986. He was also charged — but not convicted — in a 1985 attack on Ujjal Dosanjh, who later became B.C. premier and a federal Liberal cabinet minister. More recently, he was found liable in an automobile fraud case.
When photographs recently surfaced of Atwal posing with Canadian officials in Mumbai, media in India and Canada asked how he was able to obtain a travel visa and secure invitations to formal events linked to Trudeau's official tour — including one, later rescinded, to a dinner hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner in Delhi.
Sophie Trudeau and Jaspal Atwal pictured at a film industry influencers event with Indian film stars in Mumbai Feb. 20. (Name withheld by request)
"There were absolutely no issues with his legal ability to travel," said Gill.
"He had gone to India previously. Mr. Atwal had no restrictions placed on him by the Indian government. I think that's very, very telling."
Liberal MP Randeep Sarai has since apologized for inviting Atwal to Trudeau's India receptions and has resigned as the Liberals' Pacific caucus chair.
A senior government official with knowledge of the prime minister's security protocols suggested to reporters in a background briefing, arranged by the Prime Minister's Office, that Atwal's invitations were arranged by factions within the Indian government.
Conservatives later identified the official as Daniel Jean, Trudeau's national security adviser.
Gill said Atwal has no political axe to grind in his press conference today.
"He's not out to damage anyone or undercut any politician, be it Liberal or Conservative," he said. "He is out there to give his side of the story of what's occurred and it's actually quite benign."
Atwal has been very active in political circles in British Columbia and has been photographed with numerous politicians over the years.
"He has a family, he is grandfather. He's a senior citizen now and yet he's being raked over the coals for something he did a long, long time ago," said Gill.
He added the Sikh community in Canada has moved past Atwal's history — and so should everyone else.
"The discussion with respect to Sikh terrorism or Punjabi separatists or this idea of a Khalistan nation — that is not what anybody is concerned about," he said. "There's no movement or violence in support of that idea. That's a cause that's just not of concern."
Gill and Atwal are scheduled to speak to reporters at 10 a.m. PST. today in Vancouver.
Rishi Gill said Atwal — a former member of a banned Sikh separatist group who showed up in photos taken with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi during the India tour — is not a security threat and shouldn't be punished for something he did in the distant past.
Atwal is holding a press conference in Vancouver today to "set the record straight," Gill said.
CBCNews.ca will carry his remarks live starting at 1 p.m. ET.
"He was given a 20 year sentence [and] after five years the parole board found that he was a very low risk to re-offend," said the lawyer. "He's integrated back into society in exactly the most optimal manner we expect."
Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Indian cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu during a visit to Vancouver Island in 1986. He was also charged — but not convicted — in a 1985 attack on Ujjal Dosanjh, who later became B.C. premier and a federal Liberal cabinet minister. More recently, he was found liable in an automobile fraud case.
When photographs recently surfaced of Atwal posing with Canadian officials in Mumbai, media in India and Canada asked how he was able to obtain a travel visa and secure invitations to formal events linked to Trudeau's official tour — including one, later rescinded, to a dinner hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner in Delhi.
"He had gone to India previously. Mr. Atwal had no restrictions placed on him by the Indian government. I think that's very, very telling."
Liberal MP Randeep Sarai has since apologized for inviting Atwal to Trudeau's India receptions and has resigned as the Liberals' Pacific caucus chair.
Rogue agents in India
A senior government official with knowledge of the prime minister's security protocols suggested to reporters in a background briefing, arranged by the Prime Minister's Office, that Atwal's invitations were arranged by factions within the Indian government.
Conservatives later identified the official as Daniel Jean, Trudeau's national security adviser.
Gill said Atwal has no political axe to grind in his press conference today.
"He's not out to damage anyone or undercut any politician, be it Liberal or Conservative," he said. "He is out there to give his side of the story of what's occurred and it's actually quite benign."
Atwal has been very active in political circles in British Columbia and has been photographed with numerous politicians over the years.
"He has a family, he is grandfather. He's a senior citizen now and yet he's being raked over the coals for something he did a long, long time ago," said Gill.
He added the Sikh community in Canada has moved past Atwal's history — and so should everyone else.
"The discussion with respect to Sikh terrorism or Punjabi separatists or this idea of a Khalistan nation — that is not what anybody is concerned about," he said. "There's no movement or violence in support of that idea. That's a cause that's just not of concern."
Gill and Atwal are scheduled to speak to reporters at 10 a.m. PST. today in Vancouver.
Clarifications
- This story has been updated from an earlier version that said Jaspal Atwal was convicted in an automobile fraud case. In fact, that case was a civil matter in which he was found liable.Mar 08, 2018 10:30 AM ET
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