Carl Cooper

Carl Cooper, Grimes' director of communications, said Friday his boss wasn't aware of the security risk and the advice of Justice officials when he agreed to release the information.

Cooper said 1990, when the information was last released, is a long time ago.

"I can only go by the advice that we're being given by Justice officials, and that is a legal view, and the advice of the RNC," he said.

"It has nothing to do with openness and accountability, for God's sake.It's security matters."

Grimes said he was aware of the 1990 sweep, at which time he was parliamentary assistant to the premier.

Government was advised by the RNC to have it done considering the sensitivity of discussions that were going on at the time surrounding the Meech Lake accord and the fact that other bugging incidents had taken place in other capitals in the country, Grimes said.

Carl Cooper, spokesman for Grimes' office, has said the $20,000 stipend wasn't meant to cover all of the expenses of the premier.

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