Tories ask national councilor behind anti-O’Toole petition to turn over emails, phone records
The Conservative party is pushing a member of its national council to turn over emails and phone records related to his petition to force Erin O’Toole into an early leadership review.
“It is our view that this investigation is an unprecedented campaign by the Conservative Party of Canada to thwart dissenting views and oust those party members who disagree with the leadership of the party,” wrote Scott Hamilton, who is representing Chen, in a statement to Global News.Conservative Party national council suspends member who led bid to recall O’Toole
According to the party, the 60-day suspension was the result of unspecified complaints from “grassroots … members” suggesting Chen had violated the council’s code of conduct, as well as the party constitution. The letter also suggested Chen reveal any “special interest, pressure, advocacy or public interest group” connected to his petition to force a leadership review, without giving any hints to what third-party groups the party has in mind.Erin O’Toole claims Conservative MPs are united. But are grassroots supporters?
In a written statement, Conservative party president Rob Batherson said it would be inappropriate to comment on “any aspect” of the party’s investigation. Batherson announced on Oct. 13 that Chen was suspended from national council for 60 days while the party investigated unspecified complaints about his conduct.In a Facebook post, Chen called the suspension an attempt at silencing “Conservative members that have lost confidence in the leadership of Erin O’Toole,” who he accused of “selling out beliefs for a failed attempt at power.”