Harrison’s account of gun incident called into question by leaked 2016 email

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The man, who approached the Saskatchewan Parliament building wearing camouflage clothing and carrying a gun case, was not immediately recognized by security personnel.

According to an email sent immediately afterward by the then-Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms, which contains new details about a 2016 incident, security personnel only realized the man was Saskatchewan Party MP Jeremy Harrison when the man approached.

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“(Name redacted) did not recognize the individual and was in the process of turning on his radio and radioing security that there was a WEAPON,” said an email detailing the incident about eight years ago.

This report differs from the clergyman’s own descriptions of that day.

In a written statement dated May 24, Harrison said he brought the weapon into the building “with the knowledge of security officials.”

However, the 2016 email does not indicate that Harrison obtained permission or security approval to bring a firearm into the building.

The partially redacted email was provided to the Leader-Post on Wednesday. Although the name is redacted, it shows the email was sent in 2016 by the then-acting sergeant-at-arms and offers a different perspective on how Harrison brought a gun into the legislature.

“We should be informed in advance about this type of behavior, including from an MLA, so that we can respond appropriately and even give them some advice on how to proceed,” the email said.

It was only when Harrison was standing at the kiosk at the front of the building that an employee said “sir,” whereupon Harrison looked up, the email said.

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“At that moment, the person looked up and (name redacted) realized it was Jeremy Harrison,” the email said.

According to the email’s description of the incident, security did not take the gun from Harrison, but noted that “we should have the option to take the gun away from the employee” and store it safely rather than “letting him continue into the building with the gun.”

“Under these circumstances, there is no need for anyone in this building to possess a weapon,” the email said.

“I (think) that Mr Harrison handled this poorly.”

Harrison said Monday that he remembered “walking past the security kiosk” in the building, but could not say which security officials were informed about the long gun.

When asked if it was the sergeant-at-arms, Harrison said Monday: “I don’t know.”

Harrison has resigned as government leader and apologized for his conduct, after Speaker Randy Weekes made a series of allegations against him in an explosive closing speech on May 16.

There’s more to come…

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