The Canadian military’s second-in-command has resigned after playing golf with the country’s former defence chief, who is under investigation for sexual misconduct.
Lieutenant General Mike Rouleau said he invited General Jonathan Vance to play golf “to ensure his wellness”.
In his former role, Lt Gen Rouleau had authority over military investigators looking at the case against Gen Vance.
Lt Gen Rouleau said the pair did not discuss details of the investigation.
But he admitted that his decision had “intensified recent events and contributed to further erosion of trust” in the military.
Gen Vance, who retired in January, has denied the sexual misconduct claims made against him.
In a letter, Lt Gen Rouleau acknowledged that, on 2 June, he played golf in Ottawa with Gen Vance and the commander of the Canadian navy, Vice Admiral Craig Baines.
Vice Adm Baines, in a separate statement on Sunday, has issued an apology for taking part in the game.
Lt Gen Rouleau’s resignation comes soon after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau weighed in on the matter on Sunday, saying that he and Vice Adm Baines had to “answer for themselves”.
Gen Vance is facing allegations of misconduct against army Major Kellie Brennan and another unidentified woman. Military police are looking at whether his relationship with Maj Brennan, one of his former subordinates, broke military regulations.
In a separate case, Gen Vance is also being investigated for allegedly sending a sexually suggestive email to a female subordinate.
During recent years, Canada’s military has been swept up by controversy over sexual assault allegations. A number of military leaders are under investigation for claims of inappropriate behaviour to colleagues.
Back in 2016, while he was head of the military, Gen Vance said he was “extremely disappointed” after a national survey revealed nearly 1,000 soldiers had complained of sexual harassment during the previous year.
Courtesy: bbc.com/news
