LONGUEUIL, Que. — A top Radio-Canada reporter has defended his decision to interview Parti Quebecois Leader Andre Boisclair just days before he resigned and accepted an offer to run for the sovereigntist party.

Bernard Drainville told a news conference Thursday that ex-premier Jacques Parizeau approached his wife last week about the possibility of him running.

The 43-year-old father of three said he discussed it with her but rejected the proposal on Friday -- the day before he interviewed Boisclair.

"Friday, I said No! I'm not going to be a candidate," Drainville said. "That's it. That's all. End of story."

He said his journalistic integrity was still intact and he proceeded with the interview, which was broadcast Sunday.

But further fuelling the controversy are remarks Drainville made to the PQ leader shortly before the interview began.

"This interview will be broadcast six times," Drainville told Boisclair. "That'll help. You've got to be good."

Drainville, who was Radio-Canada's bureau chief in Quebec City, said the PQ came back with a second proposition on Tuesday afternoon.

"And I looked at it and I called my wife, we discussed it and we decided to go for it," Drainville said.

Premier Jean Charest told Quebec City reporters it isn't surprising to see a reporter jump into politics, but added he must question Boisclair's judgment.

"Andre Boisclair put himself in an interview situation with someone with whom he was negotiating a candidacy," Charest said.

Drainville, a journalist for 18 years, said he decided to be a PQ candidate because he wants to serve people, respects the party and wants Quebec independence.

He will be running in the Montreal-area riding of Marie-Victorin.