Liberal and New Democrat MPs last night saved David Johnston from a summons to testify on his dealings with the Trudeau Foundation. The Commons public accounts committee by a 6 to 4 vote adjourned debate on an order compelling Johnston to appear as a hostile witness.

“Elevating it to a summons is a demand,” said Conservative MP John Williamson (New Brunswick Southwest), chair of the committee. “It is a demand that is rarely rejected because it is akin to a court order. It virtually obliges the individual to appear.”

Johnston had dismissed committee requests that he testify on his work as a member of the Trudeau Foundation. The CEO and board of the Foundation resigned April 10 following disclosures the taxpayer-financed charity misreported a $140,000 gift from a Beijing donor affiliated with China Central Television and the Communist Youth League.