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Legislature raid trial delayed

The long-awaited trial of three former government employees connected to a 2003 raid on the B.C. legislature has been adjourned until Tuesday.

VANCOUVER — The long-awaited trial of three former government employees connected to a 2003 raid on the B.C. legislature has been adjourned until Tuesday.

Proceedings were initially delayed by six hours on Monday after B.C. Supreme Court Judge Anne MacKenzie told jurors that some issues remained unresolved.

But when the jury filed back into the courtroom for the start of the trial, MacKenzie said it wouldn’t start until the next day.

“There remain issues that the lawyers need to sort out before we start,” she told the panel of five women and seven men, saying she apologized for the inconvenience.

“They have assured me that we will reconvene with the jury at 10 a.m. tomorrow, at which time I’ll give you my opening instructions.”

On Dec. 28, 2003, the RCMP raided the legislature offices of then-ministerial aides Bobbi Virk and Dave Basi in relation to the $1-billion sale of B.C. Rail to Canadian National (TSX:CNR).

Virk and Basi were later charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in connection with accusations they leaked information to one of three bidders in exchange for money and other benefits.

Basi’s cousin, Aneal Basi, a former communications worker, is charged with money laundering.

Despite the delay, NDP attorney general’s critic Leonard Krog was optimistic.

“Ultimately, the good news is this case is underway in a very real way,” he said outside court.

“It’s going to take a very long time, obviously, but British Columbians are going to get the story behind the sale of B.C. Rail, come hell or high water.”