Kanishka probe: Document controversy hots up

TORONTO: The Air India inquiry is facing renewed objections from Canada about plans to hear sensitive testimony in public after months of smooth sailing.

Inquiry counsel Mark Freiman said yesterday that he has been unable to reach agreement with the justice department over handling of evidence.

He believes that the matter should be discussed in open session, and the families of the victims have a right to hear it.

Meanwhile, government lawyer Barney Brucker said the evidence can't be discussed in detail publicly due to security concerns and should be heard behind closed doors.

It will be up to the head of the inquiry, former Supreme Court justice John Major, to rule on the matter after he hears further arguments, which themselves will remain confidential pending his decision.

Major threatened at one point, early in his hearings, to shut down the inquiry unless the government relented in what he viewed as excessive secrecy claims.