Retired lieutenant-general Andrew Leslie suspects the federal Conservative Party must be angry with him.
The retired general told Liberal Party faithful at the party鈥檚 policy convention Friday that he had conversations with 鈥渟everal political parties鈥� after he retired from the Canadian Forces about serving in politics. Last year, he said he decided to serve the Liberal Party.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if you noticed, but one of the other political parties doesn鈥檛 seem to be taking this too well,鈥� Leslie said.
鈥淚 want to tell them, 鈥楲ook it wasn鈥檛 you; it was me.鈥� But after this last week, let鈥檚 be honest: it was really them,鈥� Leslie said to cheers from those on the convention floor.
The remarks appear to be an oblique reference to what Leslie has termed as a 鈥渟mear campaign鈥� by the Conservatives over Leslie鈥檚 moving expenses after his retirement.
Documents obtained by 麻豆传媒 this month revealed that in 2012, Leslie claimed more than $72,000 in moving expenses when he moved into a new home just four minutes鈥� drive from his previous address in Ottawa.
Leslie has defended the expenses, saying the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program pays for the moves of thousands of veterans, regardless of their ranks, or how far they move.
Minister of National Defence Rob Nicholson has said he will be asking the Department of National Defence to review the expenses.
Leslie said Friday he welcomes that review, but suggested it鈥檚 unlikely to find any wrongdoing..
鈥淚t鈥檚 not going to work out. This was a partisan attack designed to make people like me and like you from joining Justin鈥檚 team because certain people are frightened of the spirit of optimism, hard work and hope that he represents,鈥� Leslie said.
While Leslie did not make a formal announcement Friday about whether he will running for a Liberal nomination, he said he fully supports Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and believes in him.
鈥淲hat I learned and what we all know is that when 鈥� because it鈥檚 not if, but when 鈥� the Conservatives launch other and more personal attacks against any of us, Justin will have your back. I will have your back. The Liberal Party will have your back,鈥� he said.
