The Ontario government is being accused of trying to control evidence presented to an upcoming commission into the SARS outbreak. Public servants were issued a memo that some say was meant to muzzle them.

The internal government memo instructed staff to immediately notify their managers if contacted by the SARS review team, headed by Justice Archie Campbell.

"If any of your staff are contacted by Justice Campbell's Office, they should be advised to notify their Manager/Director immediately," the memo reads.

"It is important that the ministry's Legal Services Branch be advised if staff are contacted as soon as possible and prior to any discussion by ministry staff with the Commission."

The Campbell inquiry is reviewing the Ontario government's handling of two deadly SARS outbreaks in the Toronto area and whether efforts to contain the virus could have been improved.

The memo, written by Nancy Liston, Director of the Performance Management Branch of the Ministry of Community, Family and Children's Services, was obtained by Liberal Deputy Leader Sandra Pupatello.

Pupatello says the employees who gave the memo to her feel threatened by the document. She says the fact lawyers are mentioned implies that workers are in some kind of peril. Pupatello says that will change how freely people speak to the commission.

"The workers who gave this memo to me feel very intimidated. This is a gag order. The SARS inquiry needs access to all information, and this government is standing in its way," said Pupatello.

"We can't get to the bottom of this tragedy and learn how to protect families in the future if people feel intimidated."

NDP Leader Howard Hampton suggested the government wants to put off hearing from Campbell until after the provincial election on Oct. 2..

"We're probably seeing an action which will serve to delay Mr. Justice Archie Campbell in his work until after the election is over," he said.

Commission lawyers, equally surprised by the directives, complained to the government.

"It's another thing to say, 'Report to your manager, we'll tell you how to proceed.' This is inconsistent with the mandate of this commission," says commission lawyer Doug Hunt.

Provincial officials quickly withdrew the order Wednesday, saying there was no political motive.

Premier Ernie Eves says he had nothing to do with the controversial memo. He says he believes it was written and then issued by someone in the civil service.