Laffin speaks out
Will forge ahead despite old allegations
NORTH SYDNEY – Northside Westmount independent candidate Danny Laffin is blaming allegations from 20 years ago that have already been proven false for him not being allowed to run as a PC candidate in the upcoming Sept. 3 byelection.
Laffin said in a news release issued late Thursday afternoon that he accepted the decision of the Nova Scotia PC Party to be removed as a candidate in the byelection, and in doing so, choosing to run as an independent candidate.
He said an anonymous letter was sent to the PC caucus the day after he was acclaimed as the Tory candidate from a person living in the constituency who made false accusations but he did not detail what those accusations were.
“To be completely transparent, 20 years ago when I ran for a provincial seat, this same allegation came forward,” Laffin stated in his press release.
“At that time the party leader Mr. (John) Hamm and his office took the allegation very seriously and completed a full investigation and it was unfounded, it was a lie. They stood beside me and gave me their full support as their candidate for our riding of Cape Breton North.”
Laffin said he takes total responsibility for not disclosing this allegation from his past.
“Looking back it was a mistake made from being confident that the unfounded allegation which was cleared by the same party I have been involved with for well over 35 years was a closed issue.
“I have taken this allegation very seriously when it was first brought forward, and I take it seriously today. Unfortunately, I have to accept that false accusations can be made without consequence except for those they are directed at. With that said, I will forge ahead and not let those with hidden agendas win.”
Laffin said he will forge on with his campaign and will keep fighting to improve local health care. He joins six other candidates including PC candidate Murray Ryan, Ron G. Parker of the Green Party, Thomas Bethell for the Atlantica Party, Ronald Crowther of the NDP, Andrew Doyle, who is also running as an independent, and Paul Ratchford for the Liberals.
The winner will replace PC MLA Eddie Orrell who resigned his seat on July 31 to run in the federal riding of Sydney-Victoria for the Conservative Party of Canada.