Tories looking for new leader after Patrick Brown accused of sexual misconduct
(The Star Toronto Raptors)

The Progressive Conservatives are scrambling to find a new leader in the wake of Patrick Brown’s sudden resignation after a sexual impropriety scandal just four months before the Ontario election.CTV News reported Wednesday night that two women allege when Brown was a Conservative MP — and they were teenagers — Brown made unwanted sexual advances while the two women were drunk. While the PC leader tearfully denied the allegations as “false” — and had initially hoped to hang on at the helm — he stepped down at 1:25 a.m. Thursday following a tense conference call with Tory MPPs.His departure came after the resignation of six key aides.“Defeating Kathleen Wynne in 2018 is more important than one individual,” said Brown.“For this reason, after consulting with caucus, friends and family I have decided to step down as leader of the Ontario PC Party. I will remain on as an MPP while I definitively clear my name from these false allegations.”In an email to caucus obtained by the Star, Tory president Rick Dykstra said the party is moving quickly to find a new leader.“I have requested that the Ontario PC caucus elects an interim leader. They have agreed and have informed me that they will be meeting Friday morning,” wrote Dykstra.Read more: Patrick Brown resigns as PC leader amid sexual misconduct allegationsTwo women accuse Patrick Brown of sexual misconductRead Patrick Brown’s statement regarding sexual misconduct allegations“I’ve also requested that one of the deputy leaders (MPPs Sylvia Jones and Steve Clark) attend the executive meeting that will take place Thursday evening,” the president continued.“The election of an interim leader is in accordance with article 23.1 of the PC party constitution, who will serve as interim leader until a new leader is elected in a leadership election conducted pursuant to article 25 of the constitution,” he said.“A ...