Daily Times

TORONTO: Ontario’s opposition leader Patrick Brown has stepped down from party leadership hours after allegations of sexual misconduct were reported against him in local media on Thursday.

Patrick Brown announced the decision in a statement just hours after a hastily-called news conference at the Ontario legislature to “categorically” deny what he called “troubling allegations” about his conduct.

But in his statement issued at about 1:30am Thursday, Brown said that after consulting with caucus, friends and family, he has “decided to step down as leader” but would stay on as member of provincial parliament to clear his name.

He said “these allegations are false and have been difficult to hear” and that defeating Premier Kathleen Wynne in the upcoming provincial election is “more important than one individual.” Brown’s political future as Ontario’s Opposition leader was thrown into turmoil on Wednesday as the allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him prompted demands for his resignation.

In his late-night news conference, Brown said he was made aware of the allegations hours earlier, but did not provide details on what those allegations were. He said he would defend himself in the court of law.

“I can’t speculate on the motive of my accusers, I can only say that what they are saying is categorically untrue,” he said. According to local media, two women have come forward with graphic sexual misconduct allegations against Brown that date back to when the Opposition leader was a federal MP. The alleged victims alleged the incidents happened at Brown’s home in Barrie, after they had been drinking in his presence. A local TV channel quoted one of the victims as saying that she was a university student working in Brown’s constituency office when he sexually assaulted her at his home after an event she helped organize.

Politicians of all stripes were quick to weigh in.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne praised the women who made the allegations, saying on Twitter that it is “a difficult and brave thing to do to come forward in the way these young women have done tonight.”

Wynne said her government has made it clear that sexual assault and harassment are not to be tolerated.

“I’m disgusted and disturbed by these sexual misconduct allegations,” Andrea Horwath, leader of Ontario’s New Democrats, said in a statement. “Patrick Brown must 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”, she said.

Provincial and federal Conservatives also denounced sexual misconduct and harassment. “The allegations against the leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives are extremely serious and should be investigated fully,” federal Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer said in a statement.

Progressive Conservative Lisa MacLeod, a member of the Ontario legislature, said everyone “has the right to be free from unwelcome behaviour or advances.”

Before Brown’s resignation, top staff members of Brown had resigned. “Earlier today, all three of us became aware of allegations about Patrick Brown. After speaking with him, our advice was that he should resign as PC Party leader. He did not accept that advice,” his chief of staff, deputy campaign manager and campaign manager said in a joint statement. “Since our view is that this advice was in the best interest of the PC Party, we have therefore resigned our positions.” The party’s press secretary also announced he was leaving his post.

Ontario Progressive Conservative deputy leaders Sylvia Jones and Steve Clark later issued a joint statement on the party’s website saying they unanimously agree that Brown cannot continue as leader. They said while Brown is entitled to due process, he cannot lead us into an election.

Jones and Clark said the PC caucus would immediately consult with party officials and members on best way to move forward.

Brown has been leading in the polls as Ontario heads to a provincial election after four months. He was first elected as federal MP in 2006 as part of the Conservative government after serving as a Barrie city councilor. He was re-elected twice, once in 2008 and again in 2011. He won the PC leadership in 2015, beating long-time Ontario legislator and favourite Christine Elliott.

Published in Daily Times, January 26^th 2018.