MONTREAL - A Liberal member of Parliament has been charged with refusing to obey a police officer after an incident involving a breathalyzer test.
Montreal-area MP Pablo Rodriguez will continue his duties within the Liberal caucus while fighting the charge.
He told a news conference Friday that the incident occurred following a traffic accident involving his car. Rodriguez said he waited at the scene for police to show up, and they did.
"Because I'd consumed a moderate amount of wine during the previous supper, the police officer asked me to proceed with a breathalyzer test, using a hand-held machine, which I did without hesitation," Rodriguez said.
But the test hit a snag. Rodriguez said he was unable to blow into the machine to the officer's satisfaction.
"Despite my attempts to blow into the device, which were not deemed satisfactory, a charge of refusing to co-operate was laid," he said.
Rodriguez convened Friday's news conference. He said he wanted to be transparent about the incident.
His riding is in Montreal's east end, while the incident occurred across town in west-end Notre-Dame-de-Grace on April 16.
Rodriguez represents Honore-Mercier riding and has been an MP since 2004. He said he would fight the charge.
"I take this situation seriously. Because I think I behaved correctly in this entire affair, I intend to defend myself in court," Rodriguez said.
He offered few details about the accident and declined to answer when asked if another car was involved. He did say, however, that it had caused only material damages.
Rodriguez stressed that he would not face any alcohol-related charges.
"The case revolves entirely around this (breathalyzer incident)," Rodriguez said.
"There are no other charges -- like, for instance, driving under the influence. There are no others."
A spokesman for Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said the MP would keep his caucus duties while fighting the charge.
"Mr. Ignatieff was made aware of the incident and agreed on the importance of dealing with this in an open and transparent manner," a spokesman wrote in an email.
"Mr. Rodriguez will be appearing before the court to plead his innocence in mid-June. He will not be asked to leave caucus or give up his critic's portfolio."
