OTTAWA — A former aide to then prime minister Stephen Harper who oversaw major appointments is casting doubt on the Liberals’ explanation that the public service failed to properly vet Canada’s new human rights commissioner Birju Dattani.

Howard Anglin, who served as Harper’s deputy chief of staff, said that each appointment for the head of a major agency or board goes through layers of verifications from ministerial staff, the Privy Council Office (PCO) and the cabinet itself.

"It's incumbent on the political staff to protect the government," said Howard Anglin, who served as Harper's deputy chief of staff.{ai:summary}<p>Former Harper aide questions Liberal's explanation for lack of vetting in Human Rights Commissioner appointment. Layers of verification process under scrutiny. #politics</p>

Political staff, not public service, should have flagged social media posts from new human rights chief: Harper aide

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