EDMONTON - Conservative leadership candidate Doug Griffiths rejected the party line Friday, echoing opposition calls for a public inquiry into allegations the government muzzled and paid off outspoken doctors.

The move marks the first time a Tory leadership hopeful has openly broken from the Stelmach government’s script, and pushes the health- care controversy to the centre of the leadership fight.

“I think we need a full judicial public injury to see if there was any wrongdoing. If there was, we need to remedy it. If not, then the air is clear,” he said. “The government can’t maintain the confidence of those who elect it unless it is open and transparent.

An inquiry “is the only way to clear the air enough to restore public confidence in the health care system. And that’s what is most important now.”

Griffiths’ comments came hours after opposition leaders unanimously called for a judicial public inquiry into allegations that health-care workers were punished for speaking out or paid to keep quiet.

Griffiths said he remains disappointed by Independent MLA Raj Sherman’s inability to substantiate his serious allegations.

“This is a real distraction. It’s not benefiting health care professionals, it’s not benefiting the government and it’s not benefiting the public. It needs to be opened up, reviewed and then let’s get back to work.”

Leadership candidate Alison Redford, the former justice minister, said the Health Quality Council of Alberta is the right body to conduct the investigation, but the council itself should set the terms of reference so the review is non-political.

“Calling for a (judicial) public inquiry opens up a political debate about what that inquiry looks like: Who is appointed to do it? What are the terms of reference? And you’re right back into another political debate about health care,” she said.

“This is too important an issue to have it be political.”

She said no restrictions should be put on what the council can look into.

“Let them undertake the public inquiry that they want to undertake because then we take the politics right out of it,” she said.

“That’s the most important thing right now because Albertans need to trust that what they’re going to hear back on this issue is something they can actually believe.”

Leadership candidate and former deputy premier Doug Horner said he would only support a public inquiry if Sherman proves his disturbing allegations.

“If Raj has some support for the allegations that he made in the house, I’m all for an inquiry into finding out if somebody was paid, if there was some nefarious activities going on, damn right I want to find out. Absolutely.

“If he’s got more, then let’s see it.”

A spokesman for Ted Morton’s campaign declined to comment.

kkleiss@edmontonjournal.com