The federal  NDP is  calling for an independent investigation to look into what the party says is unethical behaviour and coverups inside the Prime Minister’s office.

The call comes after reports that the Prime Minister’s chief of staff  personally footed the 90-thousand-dollar bill  to help Mike Duffy repay improper housing expenses.

A source said the money is a gift – not a loan and that  Nigel Wright and Duffy are friends and that Duffy had been experiencing financial difficulties.

Meanwhile – NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus says  the charge is very serious.

He has demanded  that police investigate whether any laws were broken when Duffy, Mac Harb and Patrick Brazeau claimed the expenses.