Muslim group takes next step in court action against PMO spokesman

OTTAWA – A national Muslim organization is proceeding with a lawsuit against Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his chief spokesman for a comment it says linked the organization to a terrorist group.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims is filing a statement of claim in Ontario Superior Court after failing to get an apology from the Prime Minister’s Office for the January remark.

Lawyer Jeff Saikaley says the council is seeking a public retraction and damages of up to $100,000.

In January the council took its first legal step by filing a notice of libel accusing Harper spokesman Jason MacDonald of acting maliciously.

The comment in question came after the council criticized the inclusion of controversial rabbi Daniel Korobkin in a delegation accompanying Harper to the Middle East.

The notice of libel alleges that MacDonald said the government would not seriously consider criticism from an organization with documented ties to a terrorist organization such as Hamas — an accusation the council steadfastly denies.

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