Patrick Brown ineligible to run in riding for spring election

The Ontario Progressive Conservative nomination committee says former leader Patrick Brown will not be able to run in the riding he was nominated in for the spring election.

In a statement released late Thursday, party president Jag Badwal said the committee came to the unanimous decision that “Brown will not be an eligible candidate for nomination in Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte.”

The decision comes as Brown announced he would not be running in the province’s June 7 election after “much thought.”

“I remain committed to the Conservative movement and to the well-being of my local community,” Brown said in a tweet Thursday night.

I am confident that Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte will have a PC Party Candidate that will hit the ground running and work hard on behalf of our constituents. Thank you to the people of #Barrie and Simcoe County for your unwavering support over the last 17 years. #onpoli 2/2

— Patrick Brown (@brownbarrie) March 16, 2018

Brown stepped down as leader of the party in January amid sexual assault allegations that he categorically denies. Last month, he launched a new campaign to try and reclaim his old role but bowed out of the race roughly a week later.

New Ontario PC leader Doug Ford said he was pleased with the committee’s decision regarding Brown and is looking ahead to the upcoming election. “As Leader, I am fully focused on the June election and taking the fight to Kathleen Wynne. Together we will ensure that we are in the best position possible to defeat the Wynne Liberals and form a majority government,” Ford said.

The nomination committee also agreed to reopen nominations in the ridings of Brampton North, Mississauga Centre and Newmarket-Aurora. They also set aside the nomination in Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas as a result of “the flawed process.”

Former PC candidate Vikram Singh had alleged “gross irregularities and voter fraud” took place during the nomination in Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas where candidate Ben Levitt emerged the winner. Singh had launched a judicial review, but dropped his legal action in January. The terms of that settlement were not disclosed.

Hamilton police are currently investigating allegations of forgery and fraud in connection with nomination.