Harper gave instructions to his caucus – but his staff wasn’t aware?

Last week, in Question Period exchanges with NDP leader Tom Mulcair, Stephen Harper twice denied instructing his staff to deal with the Senate expense scandal.

But according to a report from Postmedia, Harper in fact did give instruction to his caucus.

“Harper, according to some who were in the room, had just told his caucus at that February meeting that any improper expense claims should be repaid.”
– Postmedia news, June 1, 2013

Is it really credible that none of the Prime Minister’s staff knew about these instructions?

May 28th:

Thomas Mulcair: "What instructions did the Prime Minister give to Nigel Wright or other people in his office to solve the problem of Conservative Senator Mike Duffy's expenses?"

Stephen Harper: "Mr. Speaker, I did not give any such instructions."

May 29th:

Thomas Mulcair: "Mr. Speaker, who did the Prime Minister task with managing the crisis surrounding illegal Senate expenses?"

Stephen Harper: "Mr. Speaker, I do not fully understand the question. Obviously, the Senate is responsible for managing its expenses and business..."

Evasive and contradictory answers from the Prime Minister. That’s the Conservative record.