NS PC Party leader Jamie Baillie has resigned his position as leader and MLA for Cumberland South over allegations of inappropriate behavior.
Baillie announced his resignation Wednesday on Twitter. Later in the day, party president Tara Miller and caucus chair Karla MacFarlane released a statement saying the PC party requested and accepted the immediate resignation of Baillie after becoming aware of allegations of inappropriate behavior.
“This morning, I resigned as Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia, effective today. I have also written to the Speaker of the Legislature and resigned as MLA for Cumberland South. I am resigning for personal reasons. My priority is my family and I ask that our privacy be respected. It has been an honour and privilege to lead the PC Party for the past 7 years, and to represent the people of Cumberland South. I thank them both for the opportunity to serve.”
This morning, I resigned as Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia, effective today. I have also written to the Speaker of the Legislature and resigned as MLA for Cumberland South. I am resigning for personal reasons. 1/2
— Jamie Baillie (@JamieBaillie) January 24, 2018
My priority is my family and I ask that our privacy be respected. It has been an honour and privilege to lead the PC Party for the past 7 years, and to represent the people of Cumberland South. I thank them both for the opportunity to serve. 2/2
— Jamie Baillie (@JamieBaillie) January 24, 2018
PC Party Press Release
The following is a joint statement on behalf of Tara Miller, President, Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia and Karla MacFarlane, Caucus Chair, Progressive Conservative Caucus of Nova Scotia.
“This morning, the PC Party of Nova Scotia requested and accepted the immediate resignation of Jamie Baillie.
After becoming aware of allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Mr. Baillie, the PC Party of Nova Scotia promptly arranged an independent, third-party investigator to conduct an investigation.
The investigation has concluded Mr. Baillie breached the Nova Scotia House of Assembly Policy on the Prevention and Resolution of Harassment in the Workplace. The PC Party is committed to a healthy, safe and supportive working environment where all Nova Scotians are treated with respect and dignity. The PC Party does not, and will not, tolerate sexual harassment in the workplace.
Karla MacFarlane will immediately become the interim leader of the party.
Source – NS PC Party