Woman alleging groping says Trudeau apologized in 2000

CALGARY, Alberta — A former newspaper reporter said that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized to her after what she says was an inappropriate encounter nearly two decades ago.

Rose Knight also confirmed Friday she is the reporter who was referred to in an editorial 18 years ago in the Creston Valley Advance that said she was groped by Trudeau while covering a music festival in British Columbia.

She said in a statement that she doesn’t plan to take the matter further.

“I enjoyed my career as a reporter, but it ended a long time ago. I avoided issuing a statement earlier out of concern for my and my family’s privacy,” she wrote. “The incident referred to in the editorial did occur as reported. Mr. Trudeau did apologize the next day.

“Beyond this statement, I will not be providing any further details or information. The debate, if it continues, will continue without my involvement.”

Knight also said she never had contact with Trudeau again.

The alleged incident took place at the Kokanee Summit festival in 2000.

Trudeau said he respects Knight’s decision to speak out but remembers the encounter in another way.

“I’m confident that I did not act inappropriately, but I think the essence of this is that people can experience interactions differently,” he said.

“Part of the lesson that we need to learn in this time of collective awakening is a level of respect and understanding for the fact that people, in many cases women, experience interactions in a professional context and other contexts differently than men.”