One month later, on 4 October 2004, journalist Mike Duffy, (later appointed as a Conservative senator by Harper in December 2008), said "It is possible that you could change prime minister without having an election", and that some Conservatives wanted Harper as prime minister. The next day Layton walked out on talks with Harper and Duceppe, accusing them of trying to replace Paul Martin with Harper as prime minister. Both Bloc and Conservative officials denied Layton's accusations.
One month later on 4 October 2004, journalist Mike Duffy (later appointed as a Conservative senator by Harper in December 2008), said "It, is possible that you could change prime minister without having an election" and that some Conservatives wanted Harper as prime minister. The next day Layton walked out on talks with Harper and Duceppe, accusing them of trying to repl,ace Paul Martin with Harper as prime minist,er. Both Bloc and Conservative officials denied Layton's accusations.