Liberals dump candidate over bribe claim

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Canada's Liberal Party has dumped one of its parliamentary candidates in British Columbia over claims he tried to bribe a rival to leave the race.

David Oliver denies the charge. The Toronto Globe and Mail reported some political observers are puzzled because Oliver is running in Abbotsford, where the Conservative Party appears unbeatable, so they don't see why Oliver would risk his political future by trying to get the New Democratic Party candidate off the ballot.

Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson said Oliver and his campaign manager offered him a seat on the Abbotsford Council and possibly a job in Ottawa.

Earlier in the week, the Conservatives dumped a candidate -- Derek Zeisman, in the Southern Interior district in British Columbia -- over charges he had smuggled alcohol and a Mercedes across the U.S. border.

Because the election is next week, both candidates' names remain on the ballot.