Jamie Baillie has resigned as Nova Scotia PC leader and MLA following an allegation of inappropriate behaviour, prompting the party to declare it does not “tolerate sexual harassment in the workplace.”
The Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia released a statement on Wednesday afternoon, two hours after Baillie publicly announced his resignation on Twitter.
“This morning, the PC Party of Nova Scotia requested and accepted the immediate resignation of Jamie Baillie,” said the statement sent on behalf of Tara Miller, PC Party president, and Karla MacFarlane, the caucus chair.
“After becoming aware of allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Mr. Baillie, the PC Party of Nova Scotia promptly arranged an independent, third-party investigator to conduct an investigation.”
The statement goes on to say that the investigation concluded Baillie breached the Nova Scotia House of Assembly Policy on the Prevention and Resolution of Harassment in the Workplace.
READ MORE: Jamie Baillie resigns as Tory leader and MLA for Cumberland South
“The PC Party is committed to a healthy, safe and supportive working environment where all Nova Scotians are treated with respect and dignity,” the statement reads.
“The PC Party does not, and will not, tolerate sexual harassment in the workplace.”
During a media availability on Wednesday afternoon, Miller and MacFarlane told reporters the party became aware of the complaint in December 2017. They said Baillie cooperated with the independent investigation and that they received the report late Tuesday.
“The scope of what we’re involved in stops at receiving the conclusion of the report and immediately acting on that report to ensure that Mr. Baillie was asked for his resignation, which he offered immediately after being advised of what we required,” Miller said.
She adds the party is only aware of one complaint.
When asked if the allegation was of “sexual harassment,” Miller replied, “that is the nature of the finding.”
MacFarlane was immediately named interim leader of the party.
Baillie, who also resigned on Wednesday as MLA for Cumberland South, had previously announced in November he would resign as PC leader.
WATCH: Outgoing Nova Scotia PC Leader Jamie Baillie sits down with Global News Morning
As late as Dec. 15, 2017, he had told Global News that he had no plans to resign immediately and would stay on as leader until an orderly transition to a new leader could occur.
“I’m very grateful in the support (from the party) and I want to see my time through,” he said at the time.
Two candidates have announced they will seek the leadership position, but the party has not yet set a date for a leadership convention.
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