Premier Kathleen Wynne said Friday she has been told of “troubling allegations” against a former Liberal MPP who was once a cabinet minister three decades ago. The confirmation follows a tweet from lawyer and former Liberal MP John Nunziata a day earlier, saying “I was retained today by a woman who was sexually assaulted and abused by a Liberal cabinet minister. The premier was informed three weeks ago.”Wynne told reporters at the Toronto auto show that her constituency office in Don Valley West was first contacted about the unnamed former politician. “My office has received information that involved troubling allegations related to an MPP who held a cabinet office portfolio at one point, left the legislature many years ago and was never a member of my or premier McGuinty’s cabinet.”Given that description, the former MPP would have served in the cabinet of David Peterson, who was Liberal premier from 1985 to 1990, and possibly remained a member of the legislature for years afterward under subsequent party leaders. “Since becoming premier in 2013 I have not been informed of any complaints of this nature against any member of my cabinet,” said Wynne, who has, however, dealt with complaints about at least two MPPs.Niagara MPP Kim Craitor was forced to resign five years ago over sexual harassment allegations.Wynne said legal counsel has been asked to contact Nunziata’s client, who has also not been named.“My client received an email from the premier’s lawyer,” Nunziata said in a subsequent tweet.
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