It has been another roller coaster day within the Ontario PC party, which started with Patrick Brown being booted from the caucus, and ended with the former leader entering the leadership race.
The Simcoe North MPP arrived at the party headquarters with two hours to go before the deadline to register.
Brown stepped down last month amid sexual misconduct allegations. He has denied the accusations and challenged the two women who spoke with CTV News to go to Barrie police so that the matter could be dealt with in a proper and fair forum.
Earlier Friday, PC interim leader Vic Fedeli announced that Brown has been removed from his party's caucus and will have to sit as an independent MPP when the legislature resumes on Tuesday.
Brown joins four others in the PC leadership race: Christine Elliott, Doug Ford, Caroline Mulroney and Tanya Granic Alley.
Some of the other candidates have responded on social media:
With fewer than 100 days, now is a time for unity. I am the leader that can unite the party and beat Kathleen Wynne. #pcpoldr #pcpo #onpoli
— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) February 16, 2018
Statement from Ontario Progressive Conservative Leadership Candidate Doug Ford #pcpo #onpoli pic.twitter.com/GCjqMGQydY
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) February 16, 2018
The determination of who is suitable to be a candidate in this leadership race is up to LEOC. As I’ve said before, Patrick Brown made the right decision to step down. A leadership election is not the place for him to try to clear his name.
— Caroline Mulroney (@C_Mulroney) February 16, 2018
Our focus should remain squarely on beating Kathleen Wynne in less than 100 days. This is a distraction from that and I am disappointed. #onpoli
— Caroline Mulroney (@C_Mulroney) February 16, 2018
Want a strong voice for change that #Ontario needs? Buy a membership now for the PC Party in order to support me in the leadership race. Deadline is Midnight! https://t.co/67SlcL0rFL Social Conservative. Fiscal Conservative. Anti-Corruption. Pro-Freedom. #PCPO #PCPOLdr #onpoli https://t.co/lPnWdEyLkX
— Tanya Granic Allen (@TGranicAllen) February 16, 2018