Tories dealt ‘head-on’ with Baillie misconduct allegation: party president
Former Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm addressed the resignation of former provincial Tory leader Jamie Baillie after an allegation of inappropriate behaviour Friday, saying he was “heartsick” at the turn of events.
In a surprise address at the opening of the party’s annual general meeting in Halifax, Hamm commended the party’s executive for its handling of “recent events that have left so many of us disappointed and saddened.
“Jamie Baillie is a friend of mine,” said Hamm. “Like many of you, I was shocked and saddened to read media reports of what transpired and I am heartsick for both the victim and Jamie’s family.”
Hamm said immediate action was taken, putting the interest of the victim ahead of personal friendship and party loyalty.
“The hard decisions were made for the right reasons,” he said. “We all know smart people who have made stupid decisions and bad choices. No one should ever condone such behaviour, but neither should we erase of forget all they have accomplished.”
Hamm then made an appeal for understanding, noting that both the victim and Baillie participated in the party’s investigation and accepted its findings.
“Politics is unforgiving, but politicians - and friends and family - must have compassion,” Hamm said.
Baillie announced plans last fall to step down after serving as Tory leader since 2010, but he resigned suddenly Jan. 24 after a party investigation determined he had acted inappropriately and breached the legislature’s policy on workplace harassment.
In an earlier speech, party president Tara Miller said the party set a precedent in the way it swiftly dealt with the allegation.
Miller also acknowledged that the two weeks since Baillie’s resignation have been hard.
“There is no disguising that this has been a difficult and confusing time for our party,” Miller told the gathering of rank-and-file Tories.
“We are not alone in having these conversations, as they are taking place across the province and across the country. Our party set a precedent by facing a difficult situation head-on.”
Miller did not offer any more details around the alleged incident or the party’s investigation in her speech, but she has previously said she was told by “multiple sources” about a single incident involving “one individual” in December.
She said by treating the allegation seriously, the party ensured there was due process through a prompt investigation by an independent third party organization that was “just and fair.”