Well, it's clearly open war between OPP and TPS. I suspect there is little love lost between the two forces... OPP probably regard TPS as a bunch of cowboys. TPS went public first and now OPP have fired back. The AG is in a tricky position as whatever their feelings they can't interfere in an ongoing investigation. I suspect the phones have been red hot this morning banging heads together though. I spoked to OPP press office about a different matter a while back and it was quite clear from their tone that they feel superior to regional coppers.
I'm sure this is all true, it's just worth remembering there isn't an actual hierarchy here. Some people seem to think OPP needs to sign off on this, as if they are the "ranking" force and that's not the case. They were brought in for "Fresh eyes" and, more to the point, political cover, as an outside force. I suppose it could have easily been the RCMP and they don't have the power to tell TPS what to do.
I don't know that the AG is really in a tricky position....it's their job to look at what the cops give them and say "it's enough that we think we can make charges stick" or "go back and get more." That's not interfering in the investigation. I mean, we've all seen the opening credits of Law & Order at some point, right? IT's the two halves of the yada yada yada. The AG doesn't make the arrest but they have clearly been in the loop and are now getting a second set of advice which they will have to evaluate.
So, if TPS think they have him and the AG thinks they can convict, that's the important part. The OPP questions are a bit troubling, for sure but opinions are like you-know-what. Lots of people are hanging their hats on this thing so if the OPP think Giroux is out to lunch, it's their prerogative to stay away and I haven't seen the files so for all I know they have a point. I'm not saying I think Ford is a victim but it's possible the extortion was going both ways and Giroux only pursued the Ford/Lisi element. Does that therefore undermine their case against Ford/Lisi? I suppose The Best Criminal Lawyer in Canada could use the fact that only they were charged as evidence of bias but that wouldn't get Ford off the hook - it doesn't prove he's innocent and, if anything, arguably gives him a motive.
We're all speculating but overall this gels with what we've been hearing about "politics" in the mix and the notion that a lot of people think an arrest could happen at any time. If I was Rob and Doug I might be breathing a small sigh of relief but they are far far from out of the woods.