VANCOUVER - B.C. Solicitor General John Les has resigned over allegations he improperly benefited from a land deal while he was mayor of Chilliwack, a source confirms.
His resignation comes after the criminal justice branch of the Attorney General's ministry announced a special prosecutor had been looking into the allegations since June 2007.
Les could not be reached for comment, nor could anyone with the premier's office.
Neil MacKenzie, spokesman for the branch, said the information was released in response to an inquiry from the media.
MacKenzie said the appointment of a special prosecutor is not necessarily in the public realm.
"(It) may be announced or may not be announced, it just depends on the point of the investigation or the nature of the investigation,'' he said.
News about the special prosecutor was released after business hours on Friday.
MacKenzie said the special prosecutor, Vancouver lawyer Robin McFee, was appointed upon request from the RCMP who are investigating allegations of improper conduct of former officials of the City of Chilliwack, where Les served as mayor.
Les was mayor of Chilliwack between 1987 and 1999 and was elected to the legislature in 2001.
He was appointed Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General on June 16, 2005.
He previously served as Minister of Small Business and Economic Development.
Les has served on several government caucuses, including the standing committee on parliamentary reform, ethical conduct, standing orders and private bills.
NDP Leader Carole James called it "very disturbing news.''
"John Les didn't have a choice but to step down,'' James told reporters in Victoria. "It's a very big blow for this government and there'll be lots of questions for Gordon Campbell about did he know, did anyone in government know, and why wans't the public told, most imporantly.''
