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Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez charged after breathalyzer incident

Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez has been charged with refusing to obey a police officer following a traffic accident involving his car.
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Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez (centre) in the House of Commons in Ottawa. Rodriguez has been charged with refusing to obey a police officer after a traffic accident involving his car

MONTREAL — Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez has been charged with refusing to obey a police officer following a traffic accident involving his car.

Rodriguez held a news conference Friday to describe the incident, which took place last month.

After that car accident, the Montreal-area MP said he agreed to a breathalyzer test but was unable to blow into the machine satisfactorily enough for the officer.

Rodriguez said he would fight the charge.

“I take this situation seriously. Because I think I behaved correctly in this entire affair, I intend to defend myself in court,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez represents Honore-Mercier and has been an MP since 2004. His riding is in Montreal’s east end, while the traffic accident occurred across town in west-end Notre-Dame-de-Grace.

He offered few details about the accident and declined to answer when asked if another car was involved.

But Rodriguez did say he would not face any alcohol-related charges.

“The case revolves entirely around this (breathalyzer incident),” Rodriguez said.

“There are no other charges — like, for instance, driving under the influence. There are no others.”