NDP MP says family reeling over allegations

OTTAWA New Democrat MP Christine Moore says she and her family have been left reeling over a former soldier’s accusations of sexual impropriety, but that she intends to fight to clear her name and ensure the truth gets out.

The comments came Monday during a news conference in her Quebec riding of Abitibi-Temiscamingue, which Moore has held since 2011, after retired corporal Glen Kirkland accused her last week of inappropriate behaviour.

Moore, who is married with two young children, told The Canadian Press in an exclusive interview last week that her relationship with Kirkland in 2013 was consensual, which she repeated during Monday’s news conference.

“I loved him,” Moore said in French. “He was very, very romantic with me and it was a consensual relationship. I have cried a lot about this. It’s horrible to see just how ready or prepared a person can be to tell lies. I don’t know why he’s done this.”

Kirkland has denied that they were in a relationship and accused Moore of abusing her power as an MP to pursue an inappropriate relationship with him, though Moore says she has proof to back up her version of the story.

Moore, who appeared visibly weary during the news conference, said Kirkland’s allegations have “had a terrible impact on my family, on my friends, on my health as well. It’s been a very, very tough week.”