Randy Hillier has issued an open letter alleging he was forced out of the Progressive Conservative party for raising concerns about unregistered lobbying by the premier's close friends and advisers.
He also claims his ejection from the party came after he pushed back against party operatives who are constraining the voices of elected politicians.
The premier has said the veteran politician was suspended for comments he made as parents of children with autism packed the legislature's galleries in protest of the government's recent funding changes.
But more recently, the government has also accused Hillier of not being a ``team player'' and criticized his attendance at the legislature.