OTTAWA — The gloves are off in the Conservative caucus as the leadership race heats up, with declared candidate Brad Trost questioning the neutrality and “fitness for the office” of the party’s own deputy Opposition House leader — who is a backer of leadership contender Andrew Scheer. He’s asking her to issue a public statement to assure party members and leadership candidates that she’ll uphold and enforce neutrality among caucus and House officers. Warkentin said he has “never had anything to do with the allocation of members’ statements.” His job as question period co-ordinator only begins once question period begins. Since declared candidates like Scheer, as well as those who’ve expressed interest in joining the leadership race, aren’t allowed to ask questions in question period, Warkentin’s friendship with Scheer wasn’t considered a conflict. The dispute marks the latest round of internal bickering within the Conservative caucus in the lead-up to the party’s leadership election on May 27, 2017.

Source: National Post September 28, 2016 14:26 UTC