CDFB00232. 16 November 1977. Ottawa Citizen, "Cossitt ruffles 'Featherbed': Trudeau security risk?"

The article reported on MP Tom Cossitt's claim that the RCMP operation "Featherbed" had conducted surveillance against "a very high ranking" member of the cabinet and "extremist" members of the Press Gallery for over a decade, insinuating the high-ranking member was PM Trudeau himself. While Cossitt said that investigation looked into extremists on either side of the spectrum, Trudeau's past suggested he had "leftist, or even Communist leanings." He further claimed a member of the government unsuccessfully tried to have the Feather Bed file destroyed. This came a day after Cossitt questioned Trudeau in the House of Commons and the Prime Minister denied knowing anything about Featherbed.