Robinson staying silent

By Dan Hilborn
Published Sept. 8. 2004


Svend Robinson is still not talking about several new developments in his life since he was convicted of stealing an expensive diamond ring earlier this year.

Last week, the former Burnaby-Douglas member of Parliament re- applied for admission to the Law Society of B.C., and then he learned that he will not be facing an appeal of his conditional discharge.

"I'm not prepared to talk right now," Robinson told the Burnaby NOW when he was contacted at home last week.

"I'm taking a little time away from the media."

His comments came just one day after the criminal justice branch of the attorney general's ministry issued a media statement announcing that it would not appeal the sentence.

The decision not to appeal was made by independent special prosecutor Len Doust, QC, who concluded that an appeal was not likely to succeed.

In a Vancouver court on Aug. 6, Robinson was handed a conditional discharge, one year of probation and 100 hours of community service after pleading guilty to theft over $5,000.

"I am human and I have failed," Robinson said during an emotional press conference held just six days after the theft.