clipped from: news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca   

Isotope issue 'sexy,' Raitt heard to say on tape

Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt is again at the heart of a raging controversy after she disparaged Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq and called the medical isotope shortage a "sexy" issue on a newly unsealed audio tape.

The candid conversation, which took place between Raitt and her former communications director Jasmine MacDonnell, occurred in January, according to the Halifax Chronicle Herald.

The conversation was made public on Monday afternoon -- less than a week after MacDonnell resigned for leaving sensitive government documents at CTV News' Ottawa office.

Earlier on Monday, MacDonnell had sought a court order to prevent the Chronicle Herald, who have possession of the tape, from publishing its contents.

But MacDonnell's request was rejected by a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge and the tape was released Monday afternoon on the paper's website.