Exiled MLA Cliff Graydon back at legislature, sitting as independent
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/10/2018 (2153 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
After apologizing for making inappropriate comments to female legislative staff, being booted from the PC caucus and taking 12 days of medical leave, Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon has returned to the legislature, sitting as an independent in the opposition’s backbenches.
The Emerson MLA is no longer a member of Manitoba Hydro’s board of directors, a government spokesperson confirmed Monday, adding his replacement will be named in the near future.
Earlier this month, Graydon was scrutinized for making offensive comments to female political staff, incidents that allegedly included him telling two young women, on separate occasions, that they should sit on his lap. He also reportedly asked a female staffer to lick food off his face, sources said.
Graydon apologized for his “inappropriate remarks” in a statement on Oct. 17, in which he also announced he wouldn’t seek re-election and needed to take a leave of absence for health reasons.
On Oct. 22, the PC caucus decided to expel Graydon due to “a pattern of inappropriate behaviour,” chairman Wayne Ewasko said in a statement.
Premier Brian Pallister told reporters at the time it was a difficult decision to remove Graydon, but one that underscored his party’s desire to make the legislature a safe and respectful workplace for all.
A week later, the Emerson MLA returned to the house and took a new seat beside NDP MLA Ted Marcelino. He now sits across the room from most of his former party.
Graydon said little after question period, despite multiple reporters asking him questions in the halls. He pledged to put out a statement in the future.
“In good time, right now is not a good time. I need to go and take care of my health,” he said.
Graydon is now the third independent MLA sitting in the legislature. He joins Mohinder Saran, who was expelled from his former NDP caucus due to sexual harassment allegations and Steven Fletcher, who was ousted from the PC caucus after publicly criticizing his party’s stance on carbon taxes and on development of a new Crown corporation, Efficiency Manitoba.
jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca
Twitter: @_jessbu
