PC leader denies women’s allegations as top aides quit

“These allegations are false. Every one of them.” PATRICK BROWN

As a tearful Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown was denying allegations of inappropriate behaviour with two young women, four of his top aides quit his campaign.

In a dramatic, hastily called news conference Wednesday night held 15 minutes before CTV News broke the news of teenagers’ encounters with Brown, the ashen-faced leader insisted he did nothing wrong.

“A couple of hours ago, I learned of troubling allegations about my conduct and character,” the Tory chief said in quavering voice prior to the 10 p.m. broadcast.

“These allegations are false. Every one of them. I will defend myself as hard as I can with any means at my disposal. In short, I reject these accusations in the strongest possible terms.” said Brown.

“I can’t speculate on the motive of my accusers, I can only say they what they are saying is categorically untrue.

“I know that the court of public opinion moves fast. I have instructed my attorneys to ensure that these allegations are addressed where they should be: in a court of law.”

Noting his two sisters are his “best friends,” Brown stressed “it’s never okay for anyone to feel they have been a victim of sexual harassment or feel threatened in any way.”

With an election on June 7, the Star has learned that Brown’s chief of staff, Alykhan Velshi, his campaign manager, Andrew Boddington, his advertising guru, Dan Robertson, and his press secretary Nicholas Bergamini resigned en masse.

The four key players — all well-regarded in political circles — felt they could not continue to work for the embattled leader.

“This evening I learned of allegations against Patrick Brown. As a result, it is in the best interest of the PC Party that he step down immediately,” Bergamini said on Twitter.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath called on Brown to resign “immediately.”

“He deserves his day in court, but no person can lead a political party in this province with allegations like these hanging over his head,” Horwath said.