The Liberal party has kicked out two MPs over "unrelated allegations of personal misconduct."
Massimo Pacetti, who represents Saint Leonard, and Scott Andrews, who was elected in the Avalon riding in Newfoundland and Labrador, were officially suspended by the party.
Pacetti was the Deputy Whip for the Liberal party, while Andrews was the Critic for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
In a letter to the Speaker, Liberal party Whip Judy Foote explains she and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau learned of the allegations on Oct. 28.
“I am aware of how difficult it is for people to come forward,” Trudeau told reporters following his party’s weekly caucus meeting on Wednesday.
“I believe strongly that those of us in positions of authority have a duty to act on allegations of this nature.”
He added that although the response to such accusations must “be sensitive to all affected parties,” he feels he “must give the benefit of the doubt to those who come forward.”
Trudeau would not speak to the nature of the allegations against Andrews and Pacetti, however, Don Martin, host of CTV’s Power Play, reported that one of the accusers is alleging sexual harassment.
Pacetti and Andrews, in two unrelated cases, are accused of acting inappropriately toward other two other MPs.
In four separate meetings Foote met with the MPs who allege wrongdoing, and then with Pacetti and Andrews.
Both Pacetti and Andrews deny the allegations, according to Foote.
The Liberal Whip is now asking the Speaker of the House of Commons to investigate further.
"To my knowledge, there is no precedent or established process for dealing with a situation such as this. The House of Commons has a process for administration employees to address allegations of misconduct in the workplace, but there is no established process for complaints between Members," wrote Foote.
In response to a request from Trudeau and Liberal Whip Judy Foote that he look into the allegations, House Speaker Andrew Scheer issued a statement to say that he “takes the matter very seriously.”
Scheer has directed House Administration “to make available all internal resources to the individuals involved.” He has also directed the Board of Internal Economy, the all-party committee that oversees House of Commons business, to take up the matter “at the earliest available opportunity.”
The Senate has codes of conduct for senators and employees, but the House of Commons does not.
No details given to Pacetti before ousting
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Pacetti he had “not been provided with the specific details of the allegations that led to the suspension.” He said intends to “cooperate fully” with an independent investigation conducted by House Speaker Andrew Scheer, and said he is “confident (it) will exonerate me.”
Pacetti said that in the meantime, he intends to sit in the House of Commons as an independent.
Pacetti, 52, was first elected to Parliament in a by-election in May 2002. He was his party’s critic for amateur sport and small business, and was chair of the Quebec caucus. He also served for a time as finance committee chair.
Andrews also released a statement, in which he said he intends to “fully co-operate with answering any and all questions from an independent third-party investigator.”
He encouraged the establishment of a “non-partisan process” to investigate the allegations.
“I am confident that such a process will find that no harassment has occurred,” Andrews said.
He added that he will continue to “work for my constituents throughout this process, both in Avalon and in Parliament.”
Andrews, 39, was first elected in 2008 and has served on the fisheries, veterans affairs and natural resources committees.
None of the allegations has been proven in a court of law.
