Foreign affairs minister Stéphane Dion apologizes to Alison Azer

Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion apologized Friday after he allegedly made a thumbs down gesture in the House of Commons during discussion of Alison Azer, whose four children were abducted by her ex-husband and taken to Iran 14 months ago.

“I am sorry that some interpreted it to be directed at Madame Azer. It was obviously not the case,” Mr. Dion told the Commons on Friday. “I have nothing but compassion for Madame Azer and I cannot imagine the anguish she must be going through.”

But he insisted that Conservative MPs have tried to politicize Ms. Azer’s plight, which he said “was not helpful to Madame Azer and her children.” He urged the Opposition to back off its public calls for the government to take a more forceful stand in trying to persuade Iran to return the children to Canada.

Stéphane Dion lost his cool in the Commons on Thursday and began heckling and gave a thumbs-down when Conservative MP Michael Cooper complained about the lack of progress in Ms. Azer’s case.

Ms. Azer, who met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in May to discuss her missing children, was watching in the visitors’ gallery and later broke down in tears when she spoke to reporters, saying she had never felt so “dishonoured and disrespected.”

On Thursday, Mr. Dion refused to apologize when pressed by Conservative MP Ed Fast, who called the thumbs-down gesture “offensive.” The minister said he stood by his behaviour.

Stéphane Dion had a change of heart after discussions with his senior staff, sources say.

Agencies/Canadajournal