Alanna Koch denies Sask Party leadership debate leak

For Your Eyes Only is a well-known James Bond movie, but it could also be the new theme of the Saskatchewan Party leadership race with an accusation there may be a spy in the ranks.

Three leadership candidates, Scott Moe, Tina Beaudry-Mellor and Gord Wyant have jointly submitted a letter which makes allegations related to the Nov. 30 leadership debate in Weyburn.

It is alleged another candidate was given the debate questions in advance or received the questions through a leak.

In a Tweet on Friday, candidate Rob Clarke also wrote, “I am very suspicious of the integrity of last night’s debate, and expect the party to conduct a thorough investigation.”

One of the frontrunners, Alanna Koch, addressed the matter on Facebook.

“This is an absolutely ridiculous accusation in which there is no truth. It is clearly an attempt to discredit my campaign,” she wrote.

“I do appreciate the acknowledgement that I was very strong at the debate. However, if I would have known the questions, I hope that I would have done even better.”

Koch went on to state that she hopes to see the results of the review quickly.

Saskatchewan Party executive director Patrick Bundrock addressed the letter in a written statement.

“The matter has been referred to the Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC). The LEOC is currently investigating the complaint and I have no further comment until the investigation concludes.”

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the debate in question was Dec. 7 in Regina. It has been corrected to reflect the debate occurred on Nov. 30 in Weyburn.