Harassment allegations hit Ottawa like a bombshell, says MP Ryan Cleary
Revelations this week that two Liberal Members of Parliament, including one from this province, have been suspended from the party for alleged incidents of harassment have hit Ottawa like a bombshell, says Ryan Cleary, the NDP MP for St. John's South-Mount Pearl.
In an interview Thursday with CBC Here and Now, Cleary acknowledged it's been a tough few weeks on Parliament Hill.
On Wednesday, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau announced he had suspended Avalon MP Scott Andrews and Quebec MP Massimo Pacetti over allegations of "serious personal misconduct."
Both are alleged to have harassed two sitting female MPs from the NDP caucus.
The matter is now being investigated by the House of Commons board of internal economy.
All he had to do was speak to the two NDP MPs. That's all that had to happen. I don't think that's asking too much.- Ryan Cleary
Cleary said he's satisfied that the matter is being investigated, and said he sympathizes with all involved.
"I feel for Scott Andrews and I feel for his family. These are allegations. Nothing is proven," said Cleary.
"I feel, obviously, for our Members of Parliament, who I know are lovely and wonderful people. It doesn't make anybody feel very good."
MPs feel re-victimized
Some New Democrats were upset Wednesday when Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau announced the suspensions and disclosed the allegations came from MPs from another party.
The female MPs had asked that their concerns be kept confidential, and did not know the allegations of harassment would be made public by Trudeau on Wednesday.
New Democrat party whip Nycole Turmel has suggested the two MPs were re-victimized by Trudeau's announcement.
Cleary agreed.
"Was this handled the right way? Absolutely not. I can see their point," Cleary said.
"It wouldn't have hurt to make a telephone call, to go and have a conversation with the two NDP MPs to let them know about this duty that he had to inform the Speaker or the public. All he had to do was speak to the two NDP MPs. That's all that had to happen. I don't think that's asking too much."
Both Andrews and Pacetti have said they're confident they will be cleared of any wrongdoing.