Harper's Former Chef is Stewing

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's former chef has decided to sue him because Harper has hired someone else to cook for him.

Henrik Lundsgaard's duties went far beyond the kitchen:

Under the Harpers, Lundsgaard's role expanded to include odd jobs such as washing their car, driving their kids to school, supervising the kids in a backyard pool, cleaning their cat's litter box and even "attending to the burial of one of the cats after its demise," the claim alleges. Playing video games with the kids, cleaning up after guests, moving furniture at Stornoway and serving drinks were also allegedly on the expanded menu for Lundsgaard.

Who will clean the litter box now?

Harper's press bots are well-programmed:

When asked to comment about a quarter-million dollar lawsuit against Prime Minster [sic] Stephen Harper, his wife and the federal government, Harper's communications director Sandra Buckler would say only that "it's a staffing issue.

"I mean, that's all I would have to say about it."

Sun: Are you aware that a lawsuit was filed? Has he been served yet?

Buckler: "I don't know any of that. I've just seen the media reports and as any other staffing issue that's what I would say. It's a staffing issue."

Sun: Obviously he'll be filing a statement of defence?

Buckler: "All I know is that this is a staffing issue."

Sun: So that's all you have to say about that?

Buckler: "Well they're staffing issues and we generally don't go into staffing issues 'cause they're staffing issues."

Sun: So, basically, you guys don't talk about staffing issues is what you're saying?

Buckler: "They're staffing issues."

So, the Sun went to Harper's press secretary, Carolyn Stewart Olsen.

Sun: I just wanted to give you guys an opportunity to comment on it.

Olsen: "Yeah, no, it's a staffing issue."

Sun: Can you elaborate any more or you guys just don't comment on staffing issues?

Olsen: "Yeah, yeah, it's a staffing issue."

Remarkably, when Harper came under fire last month for luring chef Oliver Bartsch away from Rideau Hall, a spokeswoman told the National Post she couldn't offer any details on the selection because ... (wait for it) .... it's a staffing issue.

They obviously attended the Scott McClellan School of Talking Points. Scotty must be so proud of them.