MP cautioned earlier this fall
Andrews reprimanded by party whip over complaint from Liberal staffer
Scott Andrews, one of two Liberal MPs at the centre of harassment allegations, was reprimanded earlier this fall by the party’s whip, Judy Foote, after complaints from a Liberal staffer that Mr. Andrews had behaved inappropriately toward her.
The Newfoundland MP was drummed from caucus, along with Montreal-area Liberal Massimo Pacetti, after two NDP MPs complained about misconduct by the two men.
The revelation that Mr. Andrews had allegations levelled against him, prior to the NDP case, may explain why Justin Trudeau, the Liberal leader, took the apparently drastic action of suspending him from caucus, even though there had been no formal investigation into the claims at that point.
Neither Mr. Andrews nor Ms. Foote responded to repeated requests for comment. A senior Liberal official said he couldn’t confirm that Mr. Andrews had faced previous allegations of misconduct.
It is understood that the Liberal staffer has now come forward to lodge a complaint that will form part of the party’s arm’s length investigation into the affair by a lawyer or judge. Since the NDP MPs have thus far refused to take part in an investigation initiated by the Speaker’s office, the Liberals are set to proceed with their own internal disciplinary inquiry. It is under-
Newfoundland MP was drummed from caucus, along with Montreal-area Liberal Massimo Pacetti.
stood that the party has whittled down a list of lawyers to two names, one of whom will be charged with conducting the investigation. The two NDP MPs are unlikely to testify in a Liberal inquiry but the party says it has extensive notes taken from a meeting they attended with Ms. Foote and the NDP whip, Ny- cole Turmel.
The Liberals blame the NDP for dragging out the investigation process, allowing the Harper government a free pass on topics like veterans’ affairs and income splitting.
Mr. Andrews and Mr. Pacetti have denied any wrongdoing. But a version of what may have led to the complaint against Mr. Andrews emerged this week in a story by The Canadian Press. The story said that the Newfoundland MP followed the young NDP MP home after a social event on Parliament Hill, forced his way through her door, pushed her against a wall, groped her and ground his pelvis against her.
The story said she asked him to leave and he did. It further alleged that he repeatedly verbally abused her after the event.
Earlier this month, Mr. Andrews’ lawyer said that he has not been provided with any documentation about the allegation. “He is no position to respond to an unknown allegation,” said Chris MacLeod.