A timeline of the Patrick Brown resignation saga
TORONTO — A timeline of the tumultuous events that followed the resignation of former Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown last month, and his bid to reclaim that post:
Jan. 24: Patrick Brown calls a last-minute news conference to deny a pending news report about sexual misconduct, and decry them as “categorically untrue.” Minutes later, CTV News airs a story in which two unnamed women make allegations of sexual assault and other misconduct against Brown dating back to his time as a federal member of parliament. CTV said one woman, who is now 29, claimed she was still in high school and under the legal drinking age when Brown allegedly asked her to perform oral sex on him at his home after she’d been drinking. Another woman said she was a university student working in Brown’s constituency office when he allegedly sexually assaulted her at his home, CTV reported. The allegations have not been independently verified by the Canadian Press.
Jan. 25: Brown issues a statement in the early morning hours saying he will step down as party leader to focus on clearing his name.
Jan. 26: The PC caucus names Tory legislator Victor Fedeli as interim leader. Fedeli vows to root out the “rot” from within the party. The caucus further recommends that Fedeli carry the party through to the election, but the party executive announce that a leadership contest will be held instead.