One of the candidates for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party was apologizing for an expensive cell phone bill he racked up during a trip overseas in 2012 that was paid for by taxpayers.

A statement issued by PC leadership candidate Thomas Lukaszuk details the events leading up to the cell phone bill in question.

In October, 2012, the then-deputy premier was travelling in Poland, Israel and the West Bank, working with a human rights group, but not on government-related business.

“However, I was Deputy Premier, and there really isn’t ‘private time’,” Lukaszuk said in his statement. “I was expecting to do some government work while I was away (reading and answering e-mails, reviewing briefings, and staying current with Alberta and Canadian news), so I took my equipment with me.”

The statement went on to say an urgent legal matter came up while he was travelling: “There were a lot of long conversations, and proceedings with lawyers and the courts.”

Lukaszuk said when he returned, his cell phone provider, Telus, had levied fees of more than $20,000 for data and roaming – he called the expenses an “unwelcome surprise”. Lukaszuk said staff tried to fight the bill, but to no avail, and taxpayers covered the cost.

However, critics were teeing off in response to the bill.

“Another minister didn’t care, didn’t take the time, assumed it was a bottomless pit of taxpayers money for their disposal,” NDP MLA Rachel Notley said.

With files from Serena Mah