CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, N.L. — Newfoundland MP Scott Andrews accepted the findings Thursday of an executive summary of an independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct but called the process frustrating.
Andrews said he is not allowed to release the executive summary of the investigation by Toronto lawyer Cynthia Petersen and declined when asked several times to address the allegations that prompted his suspension from the Liberal caucus in November.
"However, after a full review, I am satisfied with the contents and findings of Ms. Petersen's executive summary," Andrews told a news conference in Conception Bay South.
"I have learned a lot about myself in the past few months and particularly, how my jovial Newfoundland friendliness can be perceived. I've learned a great deal on the importance of personal space, diversity and the understanding of feelings of others. I have and will continue to have the greatest respect for all my female colleagues and friends inside and outside the political world."
Andrews said he would not object if Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau released the executive summary of the investigation.
Andrews, who has represented the riding of Avalon since 2008, said he won't seek re-election as a Liberal and will decide in several weeks whether to run as an Independent in the next election in the fall.
After Andrews's news conference, Trudeau issued a statement saying he also accepts the findings of Petersen's review and the decisions by Andrews and Montreal MP Massimo Pacetti to leave the Liberals and sit as Independent MPs.
"As such, I consider this matter closed," Trudeau said.
Pacetti, who has maintained he did nothing wrong, announced Wednesday that he won't seek re-election.
Andrews also previously maintained the same position as Pacetti on his conduct, but when asked Thursday if he did anything wrong, he declined to comment.
"I'm not going to respond to any of that because I don't want to be mean-spirited and get into the details," he said.
Trudeau suspended Andrews and Pacetti from the caucus after a female New Democrat complained directly to him that Pacetti had allegedly had sex with her without her explicit consent. She also told Trudeau that another female NDP MP had allegedly been sexually harassed by Andrews.
In Vancouver, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair was asked for his thoughts on the former Liberal MPs.
"The Liberals' decision is their decision," Mulcair said. "I've been offering support and will continue to do so to the two complainants and I'm going to hope that they will be able to do exactly as they wish, which is to move on from this."
