Patrick Brown removed from Ontario PC Party caucus
Posted February 16, 2018 11:47 am.
Last Updated February 16, 2018 1:02 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Patrick Brown has been removed from the Ontario PC Party caucus “effective immediately,” interim party leader Vic Fedeli says.
“Shortly after becoming interim leader, I asked Patrick Brown to step aside from the PC caucus,” Fedeli said in a statement released on Friday.
“Earlier today, Mr. Brown was notified that he has been removed from the PC caucus effective immediately. The same procedure was followed when Mr. Brown removed Jack MacLaren from the PC caucus.”
Queen’s Park resumes sitting on Tuesday, but if Brown returns to legislature, he won’t be able to do it as a PC MPP.
Fedeli has previously said he would not sign Brown’s nomination papers as a candidate if the allegations against him still stood at the time of the spring provincial election.
Brown admitted in a television interview to Global News that members of his staff drafted and released his resignation letter without his permission.
Brown hasn’t said he would re-seek the party leadership or challenge the results of the leadership race. But sources close to Brown told CityNews on Thursday that they believe the leadership race is invalid.
The sources also said that if the PC party goes ahead with the vote on March 10 it could be met with a legal challenge, and that Brown is being encouraged to take his seat in the chair of leader of the Opposition when the legislature resumes on Tuesday.
Brown has launched a campaign to clear his name on social media and in interviews in recent days, alleging the two women who brought the allegations to CTV News were lying.
He has also vowed to sue the network, which said it stands by its reporting.
Brown’s abrupt resignation in late January sent the party into turmoil and triggered a leadership race to choose his successor.
So far, four people — former Tory legislator Christine Elliott, Toronto lawyer and businesswoman Caroline Mulroney, former Toronto city councillor Doug Ford and social conservative advocate Tanya Granic Allen — have thrown their hats in the ring, with only hours to go until the deadline to register as a candidate.
Those seeking to run for the leadership have until 5 p.m. Friday to file their paperwork and submit $100,000 in fees and deposits, while those who want to vote for the next leader have until midnight to sign up as party members.
The vote is set to take place in early March and the results will be announced on March 10.
Related stories:
Resignation was sent out ‘without my permission’: Patrick Brown
Patrick Brown says he’s suing CTV
Patrick Brown and Ontario PCs in turmoil: timeline of key events
‘You lied:’ Patrick Brown lashes out at CTV over sex assault allegations
