Massimo Pacetti, Scott Andrews out of Liberal caucus for good, sources say
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau initiated independent investigation into conduct of 2 MPs in December
The two Liberal MPs suspended from caucus last fall over allegations of harassment made by two New Democratic MPs are out for good, party sources confirmed to CBC News on Wednesday.
The investigation into the claims has also reportedly revealed two more possible victims.
- MP Scott Andrews 'astounded' by reports he'll be ejected from Liberal caucus
- Justin Trudeau: Allegations against Scott Andrews won't be brushed aside
- Hill harassment allegations lead to frosty relations between NDP, Liberals
- Liberal MPs suspended from caucus amid harassment allegations
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau made the decision to permanently expel Newfoundland and Labrador MP Scott Andrews and Montreal MP Massimo Pacetti after getting the results of an independent investigation he ordered into complaints levelled against them.
Toronto lawyer Cynthia Petersen, a human rights specialist who has investigated sexual harassment complaints in the private sector, gave Trudeau her report on Pacetti and Andrews last week.
Peterson was hired by the party in December after a failed attempt by Trudeau to win all-party support for creating an independent process to investigate the complaints.
At the moment, the Liberal Party has no plans to make the report public.
In a statement issued on Wednesday morning, Andrews said he's "astounded" by reports that his suspension from the Liberal caucus will soon become permanent.
He said that despite a pledge from the party to provide an advance copy of the executive summary before it would be "discussed publicly," he's heard nothing since last week.
'No communication' from party: Andrews
"I have been waiting since last Friday and I am still not privy to Cynthia Petersen’s report," he said in a written statement on Wednesday.
"I have had no communication with Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau, or the Liberal Party of Canada, regarding the report."
The statement goes on to say that Andrews has "participated and co-operated fully" with the process, and is "disappointed to learn that unscrupulous unnamed sources have chosen to communicate through the media rather than respect the process and those affected by it."
On Wednesday afternoon, Andrews told CBC Newfoundland and Labrador reporter David Cochrane that he received a summary of the report, and was reviewing it with his lawyers.
Pacetti won't run again
Meanwhile, Pacetti announced that he will not run for re-election.
"In the past months, I have been forced to deal with questions that involve my private life that have interfered with my ability to represent my constituents as effectively as possible," he said in an email to CBC News.
"While I maintain my innocence, I feel that at this time it would be best to simply release the attached statement and let it speak for itself."
Pacetti does not address the allegations against him in the statement, but does note the "considerable... time and energy required to effectively carry out the duties of a parliamentarian."
"Upon reflection, I have come to the realization that seeking re-election in 2015 would not be in the interests of my family or my constituents," he concludes.
He also says he'll serve out the remainder of his term.
Andrews, Pacetti suspended last fall
Trudeau suspended the pair of MPs last November from the Liberal caucus and from seeking re-election under the party's banner after a female New Democrat complained directly to him that Pacetti had allegedly had sex with her without her explicit consent.
The New Democrat also revealed to Trudeau that another female NDP MP had allegedly been sexually harassed by Andrews.
- NDP MP says she gave no 'explicit' consent to Liberal MP Massimo Pacetti's alleged advances
- Scott Andrews accused of groping, grinding pelvis against complainant
Both Pacetti and Andrews have maintained they did nothing wrong.
Liberal sources said only one of the two NDP MPs co-operated with the investigation.
Neither of the women have been named publicly.
With files from The Canadian Press