The exodus continues from Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff's inner circle.
Two more aides confirmed late Friday
they're leaving the leader's office, a week after Ignatieff turfed his chief of
staff, Ian Davey.
Mark Sakamoto and Alexis Levine, both
directors of political operations, are returning to the private sector. Both
insist they're leaving voluntarily.
"I won't be returning to Ottawa as my
two-month old baby and lovely wife are in Toronto and I need to focus on them,"
Sakamoto said in an email missive.
"Of course, I remain a staunch
supporter of Mr. Ignatieff and wish him and the team the best."
Sakamoto was inadvertently involved
in controversy this week when he was interviewed by the CBC as he, his wife and
their infant baby stood in line awaiting vaccination against H1N1 flu. He
criticized the disorganized inoculation campaign without identifying himself as
an aide to Ignatieff.
Sakamoto's comments were broadcast on
CBC's The National but were pulled as soon as a producer recognized him as a
Liberal strategist. Some Conservative bloggers nevertheless claimed the incident
proved the public broadcaster's Liberal bias.
Liberal insiders said the incident
had no bearing on Sakamoto's departure.
Levine said he's returning to his law
practice.
"It was a personal choice," Levine
said in an email message.
"I'm happy to have worked with an
exceptional team and am looking forward to helping out in other ways going
forward."
The pair may be jumping before
they're pushed.
Peter Donolo, one-time communications
director for former prime minister Jean Chretien, will be officially starting as
Ignatieff's new chief of staff in 10 days and insiders say he's been given carte
blanche to clean house.
Communications director Jill
Fairbrother, Davey's partner, and principal secretary Dan Brock are considered
prime targets.
Ignatieff has been under enormous
pressure to shake up his inner circle since early September, when he declared
his intention to defeat the Harper government at the earliest opportunity.
Liberal fortunes and Ignatieff's
popularity have plunged since then, although they've shown signs of stabilizing
in the past week.
Plagued by internecine squabbling
that culminated last month in the angry departure of his Quebec lieutenant,
Ignatieff has been forced to back off his threat to force an election.