WATCH: The PC party is left scrambling to deal with the Patrick Brown controversy months before the spring election @JustineLewkowic reports pic.twitter.com/Eii1D0ktVn
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) January 25, 2018
Ontario's Progressive Conservatives say they will select an interim leader on Friday to replace Patrick Brown, who stepped down amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
The party's deputy leaders would not say, however, whether the person they choose would lead them in the scheduled June election or if a leadership race would be held before then, saying only that caucus members would need to make that decision together.
"Clearly it was a shock," Jones says. The PC caucus will meet Friday to choose an interim leader #onpoli #pcpo
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) January 25, 2018
Deputy leader Sylvia Jones says the party is moving on and is focused on getting ready for the campaign.
Brown announced he was stepping down in a statement issued early Thursday morning, following a hastily called news conference in which he "categorically" denied what he called "troubling allegations" about his conduct and his character.
The allegations, which have not been proven in court, were made by two women who spoke to CTV News.
The PC leader’s deputy chief of staff Tamara Macgregor just left Brown’s former office, not answering any questions. pic.twitter.com/04JoB8cyvR
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) January 25, 2018
When asked whether the party has just lost the election, both Jones and the party's other deputy leader Steve Clark answered, "Absolutely not."
"Was last night a hiccup? Absolutely," Jones says. "It was a hiccup in terms of leadership."
She has since apologized for making that comment.
No part of this was a 'hiccup.' It was a very long press conference, I misspoke and I apologize. https://t.co/mI010w3Ep0
— Sylvia Jones (@SylviaJonesMPP) January 25, 2018
One of the names that has been swirling around as a potential choice for new leader is MPP Vic Fedeli, who told reporters that he will put his name in the hat.
"I will respect the decision of caucus and let my name stand tomorrow, and if that's what caucus chooses then I'll look forward to leading us forward," Fedeli says.
PC MPP Vic Fedeli says he will let his name stand when caucus meets tomorrow and if the party wants him to take over as leader, he will accept.
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) January 25, 2018
Fedeli say that the party's platform called the "People's Guarantee" will still stand moving forward.
"That platform is not going to change," he says.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, meanwhile, says she will not seek a snap election, noting that it's too early to know what impact Brown's resignation will have on the province's political landscape.
WATCH the full press conference held by PC deputy leaders Sylvia Jones and Steve Clark: