Former Royal Canadian Mint president David Dingwall had no choice but to leave his job, an independent report has found.

George Adams, a retired Ontario Superior Court judge, said by the Liberal government's "highly coercive" refusal to defend him during a public relations firestorm forced Dingwall's hand.

A 10-page report prepared by Adams on the dismissal was released Wednesday; however, the details of the report were leaked back in early February.

Dingwall, a former Liberal cabinet minister, testified that he resigned voluntarily after the controversy erupted over his expense account claims. He received severance of almost $418,000.

Former prime minister Paul Martin and former revenue minister John McCallum also insisted that was the case.

However, Adams found the Martinites essentially forced out Dingwall, a member of the Jean Chretien tribe within the Liberal Party.

"Politics as `blood sport' may explain Canada's subsequent conduct but cannot justify its treatment of Dingwall,'' Adams says.

"He had performed his job well regardless of any perceived allegiances or the (source) of his appointment. He was entitled to Canada's rational support when serious charges concerning his expenditures were made against him.''

Dingwall submitted his resignation from the $277,000 per year position last Sept. 28.

Conservative MP Brian Pallister had received documents on Mint expenses and made them public.

Those documents showed that Dingwall and his top aides accumulated office expenses of more than $740,000 in 2004. That total included $130,000 in foreign and domestic travel, $14,000 in meals and $11,000 in hospitality.

The revelation came as the Liberal government of the day was reeling under the impact of the sponsorship scandal.

Dingwall also came under attack for failing to register as a lobbyist for a Toronto pharmaceutical company.

Although an audit by the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers said Dingwall's expenses were generally within the rules, the damage was done.

In a memorable Oct. 19, 2005 appearance before a House of Commons committee to speak about the issue, Dingwall said under questioning: "I'm entitled to my entitlements, and if that includes severance, so be it."

Part of that statement had a featured role in some Conservative Party TV advertising during the federal election campaign.