Editorial

The escort affair

He insists the Metro force conducted a "thorough" inquiry. Yet contradictory statements by a key player in the scandal have raised more questions. For example:

• Was a thorough investigation conducted into all possible charges against the key officer about his running of the escort service before he left the force, without being prosecuted?

• Second, did the police force's internal affairs bureau conduct an exhaustive investigation before concluding that there was no evidence linking two other officers to the escort service? The woman involved in the service now says she has evidence showing their participation.

• Third, why were no drug charges laid against the key officer or his then companion when hash oil was found in their townhouse?

To his credit, McCormack has now invited the Ontario Police Commission -- a body with investigative powers -- to go through files on the case and put the doubts to rest.

However, even without seeing the files, commission Chairman Douglas Drinkwalter yesterday called it "a tempest in a teapot," saying "we don't have any big, grave concerns."

If that's his attitude, then Drinkwalter and the commission are off to a rocky start. What's needed is a thorough, independent review of this case, followed by a public accounting. Nothing less will do.