First-term MPP Chris Scott, who holds the riding of Sault Ste. Marie, has been expelled from the Conservative caucus after he was arrested Sunday.
CTV News has confirmed that Scott has been charged with assault and assault with a weapon. He has been released on bail and will be back in court Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
None of the allegations have been proven in court and Scott is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Later Monday afternoon, the New Democrats called for Scott to resign his seat.
In a statement Monday, Sault police confirmed Scott was arrested, but released few other details.
“The Toronto Police Service arrested 35-year-old Chris Van Scott, also known as Chris Scott, following an investigation by detectives with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service,” Sault police said in a news release.
No longer a member of the PCs
“To protect the privacy of the victim(s), no further details regarding the incident or the charges will be released.”
In response to questions from CTV News, Premier Doug Ford’s office said any questions about why Scott was removed should be referred to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.
Tory communications director Peter Turkington said Scott was “no longer the Ontario PC member for Sault Ste. Marie.”
“Further questions can be directed to Sault Ste. Marie police,” Turkington said in an email to CTV News.
At a news conference Monday, Ford also referred questions about Scott to the police.
“I don’t want to interfere in a police investigation,” Ford said, adding he only learned of the situation in the parking lot before the news conference.
Scott hasn’t responded to messages seeking comment on the situation.
Scott was elected in February to replace former Tory MPP Ross Romano by a margin of just 118 votes.
