An Upside to the Dechert Scandal

On Wednesday, reporters staked various entrances to Parliament Hill’s Centre Block in hopes of speaking with Robert Dechert, the MP whose overly affectionate e-mails to a Chinese state media journalist have raised questions about national security.

MP Bob Dechert and Xinhua reporter Shi Rong in an undated photo sent to government and media contacts from Shi's email account last week.

PARLIAMENT HILL—On Wednesday, reporters staked various entrances to Parliament Hill’s Centre Block in hopes of speaking with Robert Dechert, the MP whose overly affectionate e-mails to a Chinese state media journalist have raised questions about national security.

And that might be a good thing, according to one expert.