With only months to go before the provincial election, Ontario PC leader Patrick Brown has announced he is stepping down from the position amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
The decision was announced around 1:30 this morning, just hours after Brown called a new conference where he denied what he called "troubling allegations" about his conduct and character.
Brown says he will stay on as an MPP and will fight to clear his name
CTV News is reporting two unidentified women have come forward with graphic sexual misconduct allegations against Brown.
The allegations date back to when he was a federal MP.
Here is what he said last night during his news conference:
``Ladies and gentlemen.
A couple of hours ago, I learned of troubling allegations about my conduct and character.
I'm here tonight to address them.
First, I want to say: these allegations are false. Every one of them.
I will defend myself as hard as I can, with all the means at my disposal.
I can't speculate on the motive of my accusers, I can only say they what they are saying is categorically untrue.
It's never ok for anyone to feel they have been a victim of sexual harassment or feel threatened in any way.
Let me make this clear.
A safe and respectful society is what we expect and deserve.
We need to move forward to eradicate sexual violence and harassment across the province _ across the country. Everywhere.
I know that the court of public opinion moves fast. I have instructed my attorneys to ensure that these allegations are addressed where they should be: in a court of law.
In short, I reject these accusation in the strongest possible terms.``