The following is a statement from Attorney General Shirley Bond regarding her direction to appoint a new special prosecutor:

"I have been informed by the assistant deputy attorney general for the criminal justice branch that Richard Peck, QC, no longer desires to continue on in his role as a special prosecutor for the Province with regard to possible criminal offenses that have occurred in Bountiful, B.C.

"Specifically, there is an ongoing RCMP investigation into allegations that underage girls were transported between Bountiful and the United States, and that these and other activities from the early 1980's to present day may have involved serious criminal offences, including child sexual exploitation, sexual assault and procurement.

"As attorney general, I am very concerned about these allegations. As such, today, I have sent a letter to the assistant deputy attorney general (ADAG) instructing him to appoint a new special prosecutor. It is my understanding that the ADAG intends to proceed quickly with this new appointment.

"It is important that the Crown have a special prosecutor available to review any police reports received as a result of the RCMP's investigations. It is my expectation that the new prosecutor will liaise with the RCMP during their investigation, review police reports to determine if criminal charges are warranted and, where appropriate, carry through with the laying of charges and conduct of any prosecutions.

"I anticipate that, in keeping with the usual practice of the criminal justice branch, if the special prosecutor decides that there is not a substantial likelihood of a criminal conviction or that a prosecution is not in the public interest, the branch will issue a statement summarizing the reasons of the special prosecutor for that decision.

"I would like to thank Mr. Peck for his contributions during the past five years. He has impressive credentials as a senior criminal lawyer, and he has been thorough and diligent in reviewing the matters that have been forwarded to him. His perspective was very much appreciated.

"I have asked legal counsel to study the reference case decision provided by Chief Justice Bauman and provide their advice as to any further actions for the Province in relation to that decision.

"While this is still ongoing, I do expect to be able to provide further information on government's actions in relation to the reference case in the coming weeks."

Contact:

Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Attorney General
250 387-4962
250 889-5945 (cell)