Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown on the Lorne Brooker Show September 12, 2017 (Photo: submitted)
The leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Patrick Brown, has resigned as leader following allegations of sexual assault by two women. The assaults are alleged to have occurred when Brown was a federal MP representing Barrie.
The allegations from two women, one who was a high school student at the time, and the other who was a first year college student, were similar in that both said they were drunk at the time of the assaults while Brown was sober.
Brown has denied the allegations and says he will clear his name, but took the advice of many and resigned early this morning (Thursday).
Prince Edward Hastings MPP and PC caucus member Todd Smith says Brown will have his day in court but he had to resign as leader.
Smith says the alleged behaviour is completely unacceptable in society, but stressed that the allegations are against just one person and the party will move on and should be able to bounce back for the June provincial election.
The Progressive Conservative caucus will meet tomorrow morning to decide on an interim leader.
Speaking with Sean Kelly and Orlena Cain on MIX 97 this morning, Smith would not say if he was interested in being the leader, saying the events had taken everyone by surprise and that he was still in shock.
