Premier Smith responds to allegations of political interference at AHS [Video]

After three days of silence, Premier Danielle Smith spoke out on Saturday and denied any wrongdoing in relation to explosive allegations about operations and conflict of interest concerns at Alberta Health Services (AHS).

The allegations were outlined in a letter sent by the lawyer for former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopolous to the Globe and Mail.

The letter alleges that Alberta Health Services was pressured to approve private contracts and that the former AHS CEO was fired two days before a meeting with the auditor general to discuss findings around private surgery facilities and procurement contracts.

Smith has not been made available since the news broke earlier this week, but in a statement, she said the allegations are “troubling” and called for an expedited review of the auditor general’s investigation.

“We need to get to the bottom of this issue quickly to identify any potential wrongdoing, correct it, and address it appropriately,” Smith said. “I …