Strange to say the least. Harper's defamation counsel, Rick Dearden, withdraws from the PM's case against the Libs and, on a quiet, late Friday afternoon, Harper's people announce the case is settled - no costs, apparently no damages and no injunction - dropped by all appearances.
Imagine a Canadian lawyer representing a sitting prime minister withdrawing - in layman's terms, firing his client.
The news isn't the fact that Harper "settled" but what was so serious that Dearden considered he could no longer represent the prime minister of Canada? Dearden is a partner in a prominent law firm, Gowlings, and it's inconceivable that he would have fired Harper without the approval of the firm's partners.
There are several reasons why lawyers withdraw from cases. The most common is that the client hasn't come up with a suitable retainer - hardly likely in this case. Many of the alternate reasons are far more spicey than that but it would be unfair to Mr. Harper to even canvas those without knowing more of what transpired between Harper and Dearden and Mr. Dearden, quite properly, isn't talking.
Dearden gave Harper the boot shortly after it was revealed by Harper's own experts that the tape of the PM discussing the Cadman case had not been doctored as alleged by Harper.
Maybe Chuck Cadman has returned, speaking from the grave.
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