Special prosecutor to help Surrey RCMP investigate mayor’s complaint

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A special prosecutor has been appointed to assist the RCMP with an investigation into a complaint from Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum.

Richard Fowler will “provide legal assistance and advice to the RCMP in relation to an investigation that was initiated by a complaint” from McCallum earlier this year.

Early in September, the mayor claimed he was “run over” by a car and “verbally assaulted” by one of those pro-RCMP group members, which Fowler will be looking into. He will also generally facilitate the change from the RCMP to a municipal police force in Surrey and “provide legal assistance and advice to the RCMP” in relation to the complaint.

Before he was appointed by Assistant Deputy Attorney General Peter Juk, Fowler was a senior lawyer with a private practice.

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Fowler will not only be providing legal advice, but also conduct charge assessments and assume conduct of the prosecution if charges are approved.

“The appointment of a Special Prosecutor is intended to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice,” reads a statement from the BC Prosecution Service.

“He was given a mandate to provide legal advice to the investigators as may be necessary, conduct any related charge assessment, and assume conduct of the prosecution if charges are approved,” the release continues.

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum is recovering after an aggressive incident yesterday. In a statement to @NEWS1130 he says he was grocery shopping yesterday when he was verbally assaulted and then run over by a vehicle. Says he is ok and the incident is under police investigation.

— Tamara Slobogean (@realslobo) September 5, 2021

After McCallum complained, City Council passed a motion barring members of that group from their in-person meetings.

In a statement, McCallum said the motion applies to “individuals who have repeatedly disrupted and verbally harassed council and city staff during public meetings.”