Quebec MNA Guy Ouellette withdraws from Liberal caucus after UPAC arrest

Quebec MNA Guy Ouellette has voluntarily withdrawn from the Liberal caucus after media reports that he was arrested Wednesday afternoon.

READ MORE: Guy Ouellette, Quebec MNA, arrested over alleged media leak

There are no charges, but reports state the arrest is in relation to leaked documents that may have interfered with an anti-corruption investigation against former premier Jean Charest.

“I am sickened,” said Christine St-Pierre, international relations minister.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I am sickened," said Christine St-Pierre, international relations minister.

“We were all surprised and stunned in many ways and as we speak today, we don’t know what it is exactly all about,” said Gaétan Barrette, health minister.

Premier Philippe Couillard cut a trip to northern Quebec short and returned to the National Assembly early Thursday to try and provide some level of calm to his caucus.

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“Of course, I decided to come back to Quebec City in order to be with my colleagues so we can reflect on the situation and the way forward,” Couillard said.

READ MORE: Is UPAC doing its job to uncover corruption in Quebec?

After a series of raids, Quebec’s anti-corruption squad arrested Ouellette.

They say it was to protect evidence and prevent certain infractions from continuing.

“The only thing we know is that the Crown Prosecutor still has to decide if and when charges could be laid; I have no information on that,” Couillard said.

In April, illegal leaks revealed former Quebec premier Jean Charest and Liberal fundraiser Marc Bibeau were under investigation as recently as 2016 for possibly breaking election financing rules.

The head of Quebec’s anti-corruption squad, Robert Lafrenière, told the National Assembly he would find the leak.

Last week, he spoke again at the National Assembly at a hearing on a bill to increase UPAC’s powers.

The president presiding over it was Guy Ouellette.

“It’s a bill on UPAC, whose president has been arrested by UPAC. It’s never been seen before,” CAQ MNA André Spénard wrote in a media release.

READ MORE: UPAC boss faces politicians in face of corruption allegations

Ouellette has withdrawn from caucus temporarily until charges, if any, are laid.