Quebec MNA Gerry Sklavounos has taken sick leave for an indefinite period of time from his parliamentary duties.
The Laurier-Dorion MNA is currently facing sexual assault allegations made public against him last week. He left the Liberal Party shortly after to sit as an independent, and has not been seen in the National Assembly in recent days.
In a letter sent to National Assembly President Jacques Chagnon, Sklavounos wrote that on the recommendation of those close to him, he consulted a doctor who prescribed a leave to cope with the situation.
Sklavounos, who has been an MNA since 2007, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room in Quebec City two years ago. Sklavounos maintains he is innocent of the allegations against him. No criminal charges have been laid.
"In order not to hinder the process of ongoing investigation, I had to make the difficult but necessary choice to not comment further on the situation. I can only reiterate that I consider to have always acted in the greatest respect for people I worked with and I wish above all things that light be shed. Those who know me will make sense of things,” he wrote.
When asked about the MNA's medical leave, Premier Philippe Couillard said he would not comment on the matter.
MNAs don't want him to return
Several MNAs told CTV News they do not want Sklavounos to return.
"I cannot imagine him sitting just behind me, sitting anywhere in this room," said Quebec Solidaire's Manon Massé.
Her feelings were echoed by Nathalie Roy, the CAQ critic for the status of women, who said Sklavounos has the right to stay, but the moral obligation to leave..
"It's his own right to do so, he has the right to remain, but I urge him to think and to think what it's going to do to the MNAs and the National Assembly," said Roy.
Meanwhile PQ leader Jean-Francois Lisée said a medical leave should not drag out indefinitely.
"Obviously he wouldn't be very productive in the short term, but basically he is paid to represent the people of his riding and at some point he should do so," said Lisée.
Sklavounos said his team in the constituency office will take charge of matters relating to the Laurier-Dorion region.
Sklavounos went on in the letter to say he always worked "with the highest level of integrity" and has been "devoted tirelessly to advancing local dossiers" for the citizens of Laurier-Dorion.
"In recent days, public statements involving my conduct rapidly escalated and affected both my reputation that of the person in question," he wrote. "Because of this, I think it is appropriate to leave it to the authorities so that they can perform their delicate work, with respect for everyone involved."
Sklavounos did not say how long his leave would last, but suggested he would not return before Quebec City police officers finish their investigation.
His accuser, Alice Paquet, spoke to investigators in Quebec City on Tuesday, according to La Presse.
