OTTAWA (CP) - A Liberal plan to release previously secret testimony about the federal sponsorship scandal was derailed Wednesday when MP Dennis Mills jumped the gun and started talking too soon. [. . . .]

Guite, through his lawyer, has agreed to waive the confidentiality he demanded in 2002 and make public the testimony he gave at that time.

But before the committee could vote on releasing the transcripts, Mills told reporters outside a Liberal caucus meeting that Guite had exonerated former public works minister Alfonso Gagliano of political meddling in the program.

"Someone asked him what about influence from Mr. Gagliano," said Mills.

"And he said 'Mr. Gagliano never gave me any specific direction on any advertising files . . . . I've been in this business for 37 years and I know my business.' "

That was at odds with reports in the summer of 2002, when opposition MPs who heard Guite testify told a very different story.