Exiled former Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown has been given the green light to run for his old job.The controversial former Tory chief — forced to resign last month after a sexual impropriety scandal involving two 19-year-old women — was given the go-ahead Wednesday by the PC provincial nominations committee.That means he can seek the party crown against former MPP Christine Elliott, ex-Toronto councillor Doug Ford, rookie PC candidate Caroline Mulroney, and anti-sex-education crusader Tanya Granic Allen, who have also received the stamp of approval.Brown’s candidacy dominated the marathon four-and-a-half-hour Albany Club meeting. Sources said the nominations committee agreed by a margin of 3-2 to let him enter the race.Read more: Patrick Brown’s girlfriend says it’s ‘wrong how media has treated him’New twist in PC civil war as Hillier accuses Patrick Brown of ‘crooked’ politics, calls for investigationOpinion | Martin Regg Cohn: How Patrick Brown’s childish premier fantasies can still come true“Thank you to the thousands of party members and Ontarians who have reached out, spoken out, and stood by me. You have brought me to this point and I won’t let you down,” Brown tweeted later.In a separate statement that pointedly did not mention Brown, Elliott noted she remains “only candidate in this race with the ability to unite our members, and the experience to win the next election.”Earlier in the day, Brown told Zoomer Radio AM740 that he was a victim of a “coup” last month.“Why are they doing all this? Why are they so petrified of my leadership? They know the grassroots of our party are rallying behind me,” said the Simcoe North MPP.Tory members vote online using a ranked ballot between March 2 and 8 with the winner announced March 10.The victor will try to topple Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals in the June 7 provincial election. ...
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