TORY LEADER BROWN DENIES ‘ TROUBLING ALLEGATIONS’
KEY CAMPAIGN STAFF RESIGN IN RESPONSE TO THE ACCUSATIONS
Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown is categorically denying what he describes as “troubling allegations” about his conduct and his character, saying he will defend himself in the court of law.
A visibly emotional Brown said late Wednesday that he was made aware of allegations hours earlier. CTV News reported that two women have come forward with graphic sexual misconduct allegations against Brown. The broadcaster said the alleged incidents date back to when Brown was a federal MP.
CTV reported that one of the women was still in high school when the alleged assault occurred; the other was allegedly a university student who worked in Brown’s office when he was a federal Conservative MP.
In response to the allegations, Brown delivered an emotional defence at a hastily called, l ate- night news conference at t he legislature.
“These allegations are false. Every one of them,” Brown said, visibly upset. “I can’t speculate on the motive of my accusers, I can only say that what they are saying is categorically untrue.”
Brown said he has i nstructed his lawyers to ensure that the allegations are addressed in court.
His voice breaking, the l eader of the Opposition noted that “it’s never OK” for anyone to feel they have been a victim of sexual harassment or feel threatened in any way.
“I reject these accusation in the strongest possible terms,” Brown said. “This is not how I’m raised. This is not who I am.”
He did not take questions from reporters and left immediately after making his statement.
A number of Brown’s campaign staff resigned in response to the allegations. On Wednesday evening, Brown’s Campaign Manager Andrew Boddington, Chief of Staff Alykhan Velshi and Deputy Campaign Manager Dan Robertson announced in a joint statement that t hey had resigned after Brown disregarded their advice to resign in the wake of the allegations.
As well, Ontario PC press secretary Nick Bergamini and campaign staffer Ken Boessenkool tweeted their resignations.
Late Wednesday night, federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer released a statement saying “sexual misconduct and sexual harassment have no place in Canadian society, especially within our political system.” The statement did not mention anyone by name.
Brown has been leading in the polls as the province heads to the polls this summer.
He was first elected as federal MP in 2006 as part of the Conservative government after serving as a Barrie city councillor. He was reelected twice, once in 2008 and again in 2011.
During his time in Ottawa, Brown served as a backbench MP in Stephen Harper’s government and has been frequently criticized by political opponents for voting in favour of reopening the abortion debate.
He won the PC leadership in 2015, beating longtime Ontario legislator and favourite Christine Elliott.
Since he has become party leader, Brown has attempted to broaden the appeal of his the party, going as far as to say social conservative issues were off- limits at the PC policy convention last fall.