A Canadian official tasked with investigating allegations of election interference has resigned, citing criticism from opposition parties.
David Johnston, 81, was tasked in March with investigating allegations of Chinese interference in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
But in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday, Mr Johnston said he would leave office by the end of this month.
He was accused of bias because of his personal connections to Mr. Trudeau.
Mr Johnston said his aim as independent special rapporteur was “to help build trust in our democratic institutions”.
However, the “very partisan atmosphere” surrounding his appointment “had the opposite effect,” he said.
Last month, Mr Johnston, a former governor-general, said the government had not ignored evidence of Chinese interference and recommended an official public inquiry. Instead, he recommended a series of hearings on the claims.
Scrutiny of his appointment intensified and opposition parties accused him of bias.
Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Johnston have holiday homes close to each other and their families have been known to ski together. Mr. Johnston also worked with a charitable foundation named after former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Justin Trudeau’s late father.
In April, the foundation’s leadership resigned over a Beijing-related donation.
The allegations of foreign interference stem from reports in Canadian media, based largely on leaked intelligence information, detailing claims of Chinese interference in the country’s last two federal elections.
The result of any general election is not believed to have changed.
China has repeatedly denied interference, accusing Canada of “slander and defamation” after it expelled a Chinese diplomat earlier this month.
Parliament passed a non-binding motion for Mr Johnston to “resign from his role” by a vote of 174 to 150.
The motion was tabled by New Democratic Party MP Jenny Kwan, who previously said she was told by Canada’s top spy service that she was being targeted by the Chinese government.
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”