The lawyer for the Speaker of the New Brunswick legislature says his client plans to fight “tooth and nail” against allegations of harassment.
T.J. Burke says Chris Collins is devastated that an allegation has been made against him, and believes it may be a political stunt intended to keep him from running for re-election in his Moncton riding in September.
READ MORE: N.B. opposition calls premier’s handling of harassment allegations ‘deeply troubling’
Burke says Collins has been given no information on the nature of the allegation, when it is alleged to have occurred, or who made it.
Collins voluntarily relinquished his administrative responsibilities to the deputy speaker on Monday morning.
The province’s Progressive Conservatives say a full public inquiry would be the best way to look into the allegations of harassment.
Stewart Fairgrieve, the Tory member of the legislature for Carleton, says anything short of an investigation under the Inquiries Act would be a coverup.
WATCH: Speaker of New Brunswick legislature booted from caucus over harassment allegations
Premier Brian Gallant announced last week that Speaker Chris Collins was being suspended after a former employee of the legislative assembly was proceeding with harassment allegations against him.
Gallant then called for an independent, third-party investigation.