Canada: Patrick Brown receives support from sister over allegations of sexual harassment

Stephanie took to Facebook to show solidarity with her brother.

An emotional Stephanie said on Facebook that the accused did not deserve this.

She even said whatever happened to her brother is "disgusting".

She said: "And make no mistake, he is the victim. Thank you to those who have reached out and shared your outrage. I appreciate it immensely.These completely false allegations were 100% politically motivated and nothing more than a political hit. I know them for a fact to be untrue."

"Those who know me would characterize me as a strong feminist but making false allegations does not help the feminist cause. Applauding accusers who remain nameless ghosts to bolster political capitol- pathetic.," she added.

However, Brown denied all the allegations which were brought against him.  He said he has resigned after consultations with family, friends and caucus members.

Brown statement was quoted by CTV News: "I will remain on as a MPP while I definitively clear my name from these false allegations."

Ontario PC deputy leaders too said in a statement that Brown can fight against the allegations legally but he cannot continue as the party leader anymore.

Brown cannot lead Ontario PC to the election with such serious allegations against his name, the deputy leaders said.

The allegations were brought by two women in an interview with CTV News.

Both the women alleged that Brown had ill-treated them.

One of the two women alleged that Brown had asked her to perform an oral sex which she did for sometime.

"He pulled down his pants said, and I don’t know if he said 'suck my dick' or 'put this in your mouth,' but something along those lines" she told CTV News.

"He's an old, single, politician preying on young girls. He’s just a sad person," the woman, who is now 29-year old, said.

Another woman was a university student when she was allegedly assaulted by Brown.

Brown met the woman on a flight and flaunted his link ups in different fields in order to gain her attention. Brown even proposed her to join him at a bar that night. Though she initially did not join him, later contacted Brown while she was looking for a job.

Barry, who was an MP in then Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government, hired him to work in his Barry constituency.

Days after organising the Hockey Night in Barrie Charity game, Brown sent an email to the girl which reads: "You know you are my favourite :)."

At an after-party event, Brown even offered her drinks. Then she along with her friend visited Brown's place. Brown said he would show pictures of his Asia trip.

Though her friend later left Brown's house, the accuser stayed back. She said she was sitting with Brown on his bed.

"The next thing I know he's kissing me. Sitting beside me, kissing me and then I was, I kind of just froze up. He continued to kiss me and he laid me down on the bed and got on top of me. I remember consciously trying not to move my mouth and I was just not moving, so I was laying there immobile and he kept kissing me."

"I felt it was sexual. I could feel his erection on my legs when he was on top of me so I felt that it would have gone to sexual intercourse if I had not done anything," she said. "I would characterize that as a sexual assault. "

"That scenario, like of a very inebriated young employee in the bedroom of her boss, alone with him, who hasn’t had a drop of alcohol all night, just that’s an intimidating situation and I was not sure what to do about it," she said. 

She told Brown that she had a boyfriend and he must drop her at her house. Later Brown indeed dropped at her house.

Though she did not report to the authorities, the girl divulged to her father much later.

Brown in a hurried press conference on Wednesday denied all the allegations.

He said: "First I want to say these allegations are false. Categorically untrue. Every one of them. I will defend myself as hard as I can, with all means at my disposal. It’s never okay."

"It’s never okay for anybody -- for anyone -- to feel they have been a victim of sexual harassment, or feel threatened in any way. Let me make this clear: a safe and respectful society is what we expect and deserve," he added.

After hearing the allegations, Brown's closest aides had also resigned.

 

(Reporting by Suman Das)