Kerry-Lynne Findlay doesn't deny she called Teresa Wat 'CCP' as B.C. Conservative leader faces more challenges

Richmond-Bridgeport MLA Teresa Wat in July 2024. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

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B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay says she had a conversation with Richmond-Bridgeport MLA Teresa Wat on Wednesday. But Findlay did not dispute that an earlier group chat message appeared to show her alleging Wat is associated with the Chinese Communist Party.

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The CCP allegation was posted by the anonymous Findlay Files account on X on Wednesday and is dated May 6, three weeks before Findlay won the leadership of the B.C. Conservatives.

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“Remember that WeChat is China Govt controlled and Teresa Watt MLA is CCP & sold many memberships to CCP Chinese in Richmond. The Chinese community that supports us knows this,” reads the message.

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A source told Postmedia that the message was sent in a group chat associated with Findlay’s leadership campaign and a screen recording of the chat thread provided to Postmedia confirms the message was sent from Findlay’s personal cellphone number. Postmedia has independently verified the phone number as belonging to Findlay.

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Wat supported Findlay’s opponent, Iain Black, in the leadership race.

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In a statement posted to social media by Findlay on Wednesday evening, the Conservative leader said she had just spoken to Wat and that building relationships with the Chinese community is important to her.

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“I had a wonderful discussion today with MLA Teresa Wat, who also serves as our steadfast critic for multiculturalism and community partnerships. I appreciated the opportunity to express my gratitude for her support and dedication,” said Findlay.

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“I especially value her contributions, experience, and the important role she plays in bringing our team together.”

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She went on to say that “as the party continues to gain momentum, increased scrutiny and political attacks are inevitable” and that “we will not allow them to distract or divide us.”

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Newly elected B.C. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG

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Neither Findlay nor Wat were made available for comment. A message left with Wat’s constituency office was not returned before deadline.

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Findlay’s chief of staff, Chris Delaney, said, “With regard to spurious and unsupported rumours, we don’t as a rule comment on those.”

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In a social media post, Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West called on Findlay to provide proof if she is alleging that Wat has ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

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“Many know I have been both a target of, and an outspoken opponent against, foreign interference in our democracy,” said West, who has gone public in recent years about the threats he has received for speaking out against the Chinese Communist Party.

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“If Kerry-Lynne Findlay has evidence to support what she has alleged, I urge her to immediately provide it to the RCMP and remove MLA Teresa Wat from caucus. If she doesn’t, she should apologize to MLA Wat.”

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Speaking to Postmedia, West called Findlay’s message and response to the leak “amateur hour,” saying that foreign interference needs to be taken seriously and not used to target political opponents.