Horwath cleared of allegation she pushed Tory MPP

TORONTO — Turns out the Steeltown smackdown may not have been exactly as advertised.

Speaker Ted Arnott ruled Thursday there is not enough evidence to substantiate Progressive Conservative MPP Donna Skelly’s complaint she was physically assaulted by NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

“After carefully reviewing the matter, I cannot find that a prima facie case of breach of privilege has been established,” said Arnott of the dispute between the two Hamilton-area representatives, who have known each other for decades. Skelly, a rookie MPP, is a former TV reporter.

Skelly, who ducked reporters Thursday and did not return messages seeking comment, had formally complained to the Speaker that Horwath shoved her after a debate in the legislature on Tuesday.

She maintained the “unwanted and intentional physical contact with me” interfered with her ability to do her job as an MPP.

Under the standing orders of the legislature, Skelly noted, “to molest members on account of their conduct in parliament is also a contempt.”

The Flamborough-Glanbrook MPP alleged Wednesday that she “was having a discussion on my side of the house with a colleague and Andrea Horwath crossed the floor and came up to me, yelling and screaming, and pushed me.”

Horwath denied any wrongdoing, saying she had “tapped” Skelly on the shoulder, and Arnott agreed there was no proof Skelly’s privileges had been breached.

“These are still relatively early days in this parliament, and together we have the opportunity to set the tone and establish a respectful, productive culture,” the Speaker intoned to a rambunctious 124-member legislature that features 73 rookie MPPs, including Premier Doug Ford.

For her part, Horwath expressed satisfaction with Arnott’s ruling.

“I’m just glad this issue has been put to bed,” the NDP leader said.

Asked if Skelly had exaggerated their encounter on the floor of the legislature, Horwath said, “I don’t think that, I know that. I know what happened.”

“Ms. Skelly’s just going to have to answer for her own actions and her own behaviour.”