EXCLUSIVE: Patrick Brown details what he calls false allegations

Article content

Patrick Brown says the bizarre turn of events that led to him being disqualified from the Conservative leadership race began on June 29.

Article content

In an exclusive interview with the Toronto Sun, Brown said that’s when the party began asking a series of questions about his campaign.

After answering questions on a variety of issues, though, Brown said he was booted from the race over an anonymous allegation that an organizer was being paid by a private company to campaign for him. He said his campaign asked for details on who the organizer was, or which company was allegedly paying organizers, but said the party refused to say.

“You can’t fight a phantom,” Brown said.

Without details, he said his team wasn’t able to look into the matter or provide evidence either supporting or refuting the allegation.

He called the process to remove him unfair, damaging to the party, and ultimately done to try and ensure a Pierre Poilievre victory.

Article content

“It’s disappointing,” Brown said. “If we can’t run a free and fair election, it damages the brand of the party.”

The party’s Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) released a statement late Tuesday after a hastily called meeting, claiming grave violations of party rules and the Canada Elections Act by Brown’s campaign. They did not release any details on the allegations and said the party would not be commenting further.

That has led to plenty of speculation on Brown’s departure, including claims of dodgy membership sales, questions about a number of organizers who all share a common South Asian name, and claims that staff from Brampton City Hall where Brown is mayor were working on his campaign with taxpayers picking up the tab.

Article content

Brown said none of those allegations, which he claims have no merit, were behind his departure and that it was all focused on an anonymous complaint with no details.

The Poilievre campaign, which denied being behind these allegations, shot back at Brown, saying that he has a history of questionable conduct in politics.

“As always, when caught Patrick tries to make himself into a victim, but ultimately the only person responsible for his disqualification is himself,” the Poilievre campaign said in a statement.

Brown’s team is seeking legal advice on next steps but courts have been wary of getting involved in the inner workings of political parties, generally finding that they are private organizations that can set their own rules.

blilley@postmedia.com