Allegation of groping puts PM in corner

Re Trudeau addresses groping allegation, says he doesn’t recall ‘negative interactions,’ July 2

Was it not Trudeau himself who stated, in no uncertain terms, that “all women must be believed?”

Was it not Trudeau himself who suspended or banished MPs from the Liberal Party of Canada for accusations of sexual impropriety?

This is not an anonymous accusation levelled at him today dating back 18 years. This is the reporting of the incident that was printed in a newspaper at the time it occurred. How can he now say he remembers the day well, yet does not remember the incident?

The prime minister has painted himself into a corner. How can he simultaneously claim zero tolerance for others while not taking responsibility for his own actions?

The self-proclaimed feminist prime minster has feet of clay. If he had any decency he would come clean before his alleged victim comes forward and destroys the little credibility he has left! Pat Biondi, Montreal Oh, who cares? I wish some of these women would grow up. “Groping?” Really!

“Groping” in my opinion is not sexual harassment — it’s just stupid men who have learned over the years from stupid women that it sometimes works. Karen Seale, Roblin, Ont. As a woman in her late 60s, I want to weigh in about the PM’s alleged groping incident 18 years ago. I first heard about this on, of all days, July 1.

Growing up in the 1970s I found this type of thing (especially where alcohol was involved) unfortunately very commonplace! I certainly often experienced this myself along with much worse behaviour in Canada and overseas.

The fact that there was an actual admission of wrongdoing and an apology attests to Justin’s strong moral character. Yes, it wasn’t the 1970s, but it is only recently that we have come out so strongly to condemn this behaviour.

I wish we could move on from these witch hunts, especially since the woman in question has no wish to pursue charges and it is so long ago.

Who will be left to run for public office when people are allowed to make no mistakes, at whatever age? I am glad of the Me Too movement in some ways. However, I feel the pendulum has swung way too far one way and common sense is no longer common. Jo Erickson, Uxbridge With regard to Prime Minister Trudeau’s “not remembering” a Me Too encounter 18 years ago, it always amazes me how valuable elitism is when avoiding awkward media trials. Charles Hooker, East Garafraxa, Ont. By now, we have all read that our prime minister is alleged to have grabbed a person inappropriately.

The prime minister’s contention that he does not remember the “negative interaction” of apologizing for his forwardness (even though he was called out in a newspaper for it at the time) appears exceedingly unlikely.

Unless, that is, he has made too many such apologies to remember this one in particular. Alykhan Pabani, Toronto Please investigate the alleged groping in Kokanee, B.C., by Trudeau. You are, after all, an investigative paper. Sigmund Krajden, Toronto