Dean French parts ways with the PC re-election campaign, but Ford´s ex-chief back at Queen´s Park Monday
(The Star Travel)

Premier Doug Ford’s former chief of staff, Dean French — who “resigned� after a patronage scandal — has now parted ways with the Progressive Conservative re-election campaign.French embarrassed Ford by trying to install his wife’s cousin and his son’s friend in six-figure overseas government postings on Thursday.Eighteen hours later, the premier revoked the appointments and, on Friday night, the embattled chief stepped down.The cronyism fiasco continues to roil the Tories, who are distancing themselves from French.As first disclosed by the Star, he has left Ford’s 2022 re-election team.“Mr. French is no longer part of the election readiness committee. He has returned to the private sector,� Marcus Mattinson, the Ontario PC Party director of communications, said Monday.But Tory staffers were stunned when French showed up for work Monday despite his resignation.“He’s in the building right now,� a startled PC insider told the Star at 10 a.m.French allegedly “read the Riot Act to all (premier’s office) staff and then in a separate meeting with chiefs,� said the source, speaking confidentially in order to discuss internal discussions.“The implied threat was: ‘Make no mistake I still control things,’� the insider said.Senior officials in the premier’s office strongly disputed that account and insisted French did not assert his authority because he no longer has any.They said the ex-chief briefly attended two meetings to bid farewell to former colleagues.“Dean French came to Queen’s Park this morning to pack up his office. He said goodbye to staff, thanked them for their hard work and continued service to the premier and the people of Ontario,� the premier’s office said in a statement Monday.“Dean French is returning to the private sector.�Another high-ranking Tory said the situation in the premier’s off ...