It is impossible, unthinkable for an officer of Parliament to go back to the public service.
What I wanted—and arrangements had already been made—was to remain an “order in council“ appointee in universities, and in exchanges. That is entirely acceptable.
Yes, I took a seven-year penalty, sir. You are attacking my very nature. I displayed great honesty, and I had the courage to leave. Do you know why? I was not well, I was exhausted. Two years of audit is unheard of, sir! I did not know what would happen when I accepted it. I had hoped to be able to table my initial report on wrongdoing. I ask that you refer to that. I did my job, and for the good of the institution, I accepted, sir. Because I had reached the point of burnout. What is more, my reputation—