It’s the case of the mace, and why the alarm protecting it was disabled

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It's the case of the mystery of the BC Legislature's mace and why the alarm protecting it in the Speaker's office was disabled.

It’s the Mystery of the Mace.

And it’s serious enough that Victoria Police are investigating an apparent case of tampering with the ceremonial mace of the BC Legislature.

After the BC election, Alan Mullen, the former chief of staff to former speaker, discovered the alarm connected to the mace was disabled.

“Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. And I’m sure they were in and out of there more than once,”  Mullen told CHEK.

Mullen believes that someone planted a listening device inside the speakers’ office sometime between February and October.

Back in the spring, he hired a Vancouver firm to sweep the office for any devices.

“Former Speaker Daryl Plecas and myself as well as other people, we have landed we honestly believe that the only reasonable explanation is a listening device in the Speakers’ office.”

There are still ongoing investigations the speaker is continuing to investigate, making the office a centre of attention.

“It wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to suggest that somebody or some people may want to be in on those conversations,” Mullen said.

It’s a troubling allegation, according to the other party leaders including BC Liberal Interim Leader Shirley Bond.

“Obviously, we’re aware of the situation. I’ve asked our house leader Peter Milobar to certainly, he was involved in a briefing, on that matter,” said Bond.

BC Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau said transparency is key to any investigation at the BC Legislature.

“I’m glad there is an external third-party investigation looking into what’s may or may not have happened,” Furstenau noted.

For now, BC’s symbol of authority will continue to be carried in and out of the legislature under close eye, until the investigation wraps.

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Mary GriffinMary Griffin

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