Report: McCain ally may block Palin probe

JUNEAU, Alaska, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- A Republican Alaska legislator has taken steps that Newsweek reports could derail a probe of Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of the state public safety commissioner.

Alaska state Rep. John Coghill has requested a session of the state's bipartisan Legislative Council, which could lead to removal of Democratic state Sen. Hollis French as the leader of the investigation, Newsweek reported Friday, describing Coghill as an ally of Republican presidential nominee John McCain. The report said Coghill's letter was endorsed by the McCain campaign.

The Legislature is investigating whether Palin -- McCain's vice presidential running mate -- may have abused the power of her office when she fired Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan after he refused to fire Trooper Michael Wooten, Palin's former brother-in-law.

Coghill -- chairman of the state House Rules Committee -- charges French with politicizing the investigation with public comments, including one in which French told ABC News Palin has a "credibility problem."

"The investigation appears to be lacking in fairness, neutrality and due process," Coghill wrote in a letter requesting a meeting of the Legislative Council.