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Alberta MP Brent Rathgeber quits Conservative caucus over ’lack of transparency’

Alberta MP Brent Rathgeber (RATH’-gay-buhr) says he no longer answers to the Prime Minister’s Office and the government can’t force him to resign his seat.

ST. ALBERT — Alberta MP Brent Rathgeber (RATH’-gay-buhr) says he no longer answers to the Prime Minister’s Office and the government can’t force him to resign his seat.

Rathgeber quit the Conservative caucus on Wednesday night to become an Independent over what he calls the Harper government’s “lack of transparency.”

Speaking at a news conference in his riding of Edmonton-St. Albert, Rathgeber said he finds it — quote — “rich” that an official in Harper’s office has said he should resign and run in a byelection.

Rathgeber points out Harper’s government is the same one that accepted an MP from British Columbia into the fold days after he had been elected as a Liberal.

Rathgeber says the government doesn’t seen to understand that it has no authority to force him to step down.

He says he will do what his constituents want and early indications are they support his decision.