`Freedom Convoy' lawyer served libel notice

The controversy created by one of the lawyers representing some “Freedom Convoy” organizers at the Emergencies Act inquiry took more strange turns this week.

Lawyer Brendan Miller was served Thursday with a libel notice by Brian Fox, a public relations executive whom Miller accused of parading a Nazi flag at the “Freedom Convoy” protest in Ottawa, allegedly to discredit the protest.

Miller chased after someone he believed to be Fox, shouting at him to request he testify at the inquiry, but it was not Fox.

During the afternoon break at the Public Order Emergency Commission Thursday, Miller, who represents the Ottawa “Freedom Convoy” organizers, was served a notice of libel from Fox and his employer, Enterprise Canada, by a process server waiting for him in the building foyer. Miller has repeatedly alleged that Fox was a “provocateur” hired by Liberals to be photographed at the “Freedom Convoy” protests around Jan. 29 as part of a false-flag operation meant to portray the protesters as extremists.

Miller based his claim on what he said is a resemblance between photos of Fox available online and the Nazi flag-bearer in a photo that was circulated. The face of the individual in the flag-bearer photo is partially obscured by shadow and sunglasses.

Miller has also provided an affidavit — described as “untested” by inquiry commissioner Paul Rouleau — by a man who purported to have recognized Fox from Miller's photos after claiming he spoke with the man who carried the Nazi flag at the protest.

Miller's allegation was described as “troubling ” by Rouleau in his ruling rejecting Miller's request to call Fox to testify, saying it would be a “very significant distraction.”

Barely an hour later, Miller left the inquiry room in the middle of hearings and chased after someone whom Miller evidently believed was Fox (who lives in Toronto).

“Brian Fox, I want to talk to you,” Miller yelled as he ran after the man, who was in fact a wellknown Ottawa lobbyist named Greg MacEachern. “Would you agree to testify? I can get the commissioner to organize it.”

MacEachern eventually turned around and yelled back, “Who do you think I am?” as security guards quickly stepped between both men. MacEachern then headed to the foyer bathroom as Miller walked away.

Reporters informed Miller of MacEachern's identity. The lawyer laughed as he realized his mistake.

A few minutes later, he returned to the foyer to apologize to MacEachern, who called the lawyer an “idiot” and told him to stay away from him as he left.