Charges against ex-hostage prompt questions around vetting for meetings with the PM

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Questions are being raised about why Joshua Boyle and his family were granted a meeting with the prime minister, just two weeks before he was arrested on more than a dozen charges, including sexual assault and unlawful confinement.

Boyle and his American wife spent five years in Taliban captivity in Afghanistan before being rescued with their three children in October.

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The big question is why the prime minister even met with Boyle. While the family was the subject of international headlines for their rescue, former intelligence analyst Phil Gurski says Boyle has a checkered past. He was once married to the sister of Omar Khadr, and there are questions about his motive for going to Afghanistan in the first place.

“To me, there has to be a due dilligence done by the prime minister’s office, to do a basic vetting — irrespective of security — in terms of ‘Are these they types of people that the prime minister should be seen having a coffee with?’

Gurski doesn’t believe the prime minister’s security was put at risk, but questions the judgement of his staff.

“There were some red flags that should have led to the decision that maybe granting him a meeting with the prime minister was not in the best interests of the prime minister,” he argues.

Boyle is charged for 15 offences that are said to have occurred after the family returned to Ottawa. The charges include sexual assault, assault, forcible confinement, and administering a noxious drug.

The identities of the apparent victims are protected by a publication ban.

Boyle’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.