- Hub staff

Ontario's Progressive Conservative leader and Leader of the Opposition Patrick Brown stepped down shortly after midnight today following allegations of sexual misconduct. He "categorically" denies the statements of two young women. The alleged misconduct was said to have occurred at his home in Barrie when he was a federal MP for that riding.

The Owen Sound Hub has requested a statement from Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker on the repercussions for the Progressive Conservative Party in the lead up to the June 7 election. We will update as necessary.

The 39 year old Brown was elected leader of the provincial party in May 2015, and won his seat in the Legislature for Simcoe North in September of that year. Bill Walker, and the majority of Bruce-Grey Owen Sound party members, supported then-Deputy Leader Christine Elliott for the leadership. Ms. Elliott was appointed Ontario's first patient ombudsman by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care beginning in 2016.

The process for selecting Brown's replacement has yet to be announced. Senior members of Brown's staff and members of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party's campaign team tendered their resignations last night when they say Brown refused to follow their advice that he resign. Their future with the party remains uncertain at this time.

Photo credit: Laurel L. Russwurm