CP is now reporting that Svend has offered a whole host of excuses for his departure – which seems to have been downgraded to a “leave” – ranging from medical to legal reasons. The “medical” reason seems to be “severe emotional stress”… apparently having something to do with an incident in which he stole an expensive ring at an auction:
Describing his past few months as a time in which he has experienced “severe stress,” the seven-term MP for Burnaby-Douglas said “something just snapped” last Friday when he pocketed a ring during a public sale at an auction house.
“For some time now, I have been suffering from severe stress and emotional pain ,” Mr. Robinson said during prepared comments. “…I have experienced great inner turmoil. The reasons for this are intensely personal and I’m not prepared to discuss them.”
Yeah, I’d say theft is a “legal” problem. His comments really give an insight into how unstable the man is.
In the meantime, NDP Leader Jack Layton seems to think Svend deserves some kind of medal:
“Svend spoke about how he made a mistake and how he’s taking responsibility for it,” Mr. Layton said. “He did the right thing by going to the police. If everybody who made mistakes were willing to take responsibility for it the way Svend Robinson has just done today I think we would be living in a better world.”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for taking responsibility. But let’s not pretend that owning up to a mistake erases it.