Premier Doug Ford is angrily denying a former Progressive Conservative MPPâs allegations that there is âpossible illegal and unregistered lobbyingâ by his inner circle.With the opposition New Democrats urging the Ontario Provincial Police to investigate claims made by maverick MPP Randy Hillier, the premier was on the defensive Tuesday.âThereâs absolutely no truth to any of the allegations. The accusations are absolutely ridiculous,â Ford thundered in the legislature under aggressive questioning from NDP MPP Taras Natyshak.In a letter to his constituents Monday, Hillier, who was expelled from the PC caucus last week, said he was turfed for âraising concerns of possible illegal and unregistered lobbying by close friends and advisers employed by Premier Ford.â The Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP, who was not available for comment Tuesday, has provided no specifics about the alleged improper lobbying.Ford, who has been under fire since the Star first disclosed that the Tories asked lobbyists to peddle tickets to his $1,250-a-ticket fundraiser last month, countered that NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is herself holding an $800-a-head fundraiser this Saturday.Read more:Opinion | Martin Regg Cohn: How Doug Ford became Ontarioâs empathy premierNDP wants OPP to investigate Hillierâs accusations of improper lobbying by Ford friends, advisersHillier says suspension from Tory caucus was over clashes with Ford advisersâThey sent out an email: âCome and join the leader of the NDP, Andrea Horwath, for $800. Itâs an open bar.â And you actually get a reward. That is what it said in the letter: You will get a reward by having access to her highness,â he said, taunting Horwath.But the premier appeared rattled when Natyshak (Essex) cited Hillierâs letter, which mentions Fordâs chief of staff Dean French and Chris Froggatt, head of the Tory election readiness committee.âThe member f ...
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