Bastarache commission prosecutor quits

The chief prosecutor for the commission looking into how judges are hired in Quebec has resigned after doubts were raised about his impartiality.

Pierre Cimon's announcement Tuesday came just a few days after former justice minister Marc Bellemare questioned the credibility of the Bastarache commission.

"I am a victim of a partisan debate, and that's why I want out," he said in an interview. "I am not partisan."

Cimon said it was impossible to get any work done under the circumstances.

"The climate was unbearable," he said in an interview. "It was impossible, given everything that was said, to work in peace and conduct a major investigation. We cannot do an inquiry like this while always being suspected of partisanship."

Bellemare complained that Cimon has been a regular financial contributor to the Quebec Liberal Party in recent years.

Cimon, who has 40 years experience as a trial lawyer, said it was ridiculous to think contributing to the Liberals would have influenced his work with the inquiry.

"Do you think that because I give to the Liberal Party, I suddenly become a hypocrite and a liar," he asked, adding he would be the first to denounce such misconduct.

Premier Jean Charest created the commission after recent claims by Bellemare he was pressured by Liberal fundraisers in 2003 and 2004 to support the appointment of certain lawyers as Quebec judges.

Former Supreme Court justice Michel Bastarache will head the public inquiry.