Another Canadian politician is staring down sexual assault allegations.Liberal MP Francis Drouin confirmed an allegation had been made against him, but would not give details.Halifax Police say they are investigating a report of sexual assault that allegedly happened shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Halifax Alehouse, close to where the Liberal Party was holding their national policy convention.Drouin told multiple people at the convention that a woman had accused him of groping her backside at a bar, an anonymous Liberal source told the Canadian Press.
Despite the police investigation, the 34-year-old Ontario MP remains in caucus, the Liberal whip’s office told VICE News on Monday. The Prime Minister’s Office, the whip’s office and the MP’s office would not say whether the Liberal Party was itself investigating Drouin.The Liberal Party has previously disciplined MPs who faced allegations of sexual misconduct. In January, minister of sport Kent Hehr resigned from cabinet, pending an investigation, after he was accused of making inappropriate comments to a female staffer. Hehr has not confirmed or denied the allegations. Last August, MP Darshan Kang resigned from the Liberal caucus after two women accused him of sexual harassment. An investigation found one of the harassment complaints was partially substantiated, according to the CBC. And in 2014, Liberal MPs Massimo Pacetti and Scott Andrews were both kicked out of caucus after allegations of sexual misconduct emerged.Members of Parliament from all three major political parties have faced allegations of sexual assault and harassment as the #MeToo movement hit Canadian politics earlier this year.Drouin, who was elected when the Liberals swept Canada in the 2015 election, has not confirmed or denied the allegation, and has not issued an apology.“I believe it is important for individuals to have a safe environment to come forward, share their stories, and be supported,” Drouin said in a statement addressing “reports of an incident.”“While no charges have been laid against me, I am cooperating fully with the investigation.”
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