The CBC and other news organizations say federal prosecutors will drop the breach of trust prosecution against Vice-Admiral Mark Norman for fear that details of the trial might blow up on the Liberal government during the coming general election. The decision by the Justice Department seems a signal victory for Norman’s chief counsel, Toronto criminal lawyer Marie Henein, who has hinted that the government was trying to orchestrate a public impression of the case outside the courtroom. For Mr. Trudeau and his party, the retreat cuts their losses in the wake of the smouldering SNC-Lavalin matter. The single breach of trust charge was laid last year. Norman, a former commander of the navy, was accused of leaking cabinet secrets in relation to a $668-million shipbuilding deal to lease a supply vessel. The backdown was telegraphed Tuesday when the Public Prosecution Service of Canada took the unusual step of sending out a notice to the media advising them that they “may wish to attend” court on Wednesday at 10 a.m. The case has also seen the government face allegations of political interference from the Opposition Conservatives.
