Donna Skelly accuses Andrea Horwath of pushing her, says NDP leader needs 'anger management'

Donna Skellyis accusing Andrea Horwathof pushing her in the legislature and says the OntarioNDPleader should consider anger management classes.

Horwathdeniesaccosting the PC MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook and claims it wasSkelly who "went ballistic" when she tapped her on the shoulder.

• Donna Skelly, 'offside' on key city issues, now Hamilton's only government voice

Skellystood up during question period Wednesday and laid out her complaint before asking House Speaker Ted Arnott to determine whether Horwathbreachedprivilege.

I am absolutely saying that this is not true.- Andrea Horwath, NDP leader

Speaking with reporters afterward, the MPP said she was speaking with some colleagues when Horwathcrossed the floor "yelling, screaming and pushed me."

She added there is no photo orvideo evidence, but said plenty of people witnessedthe incident and the clerk escorting the NDPleader back to her chair.

Tap or push? Tory MPP accuses NDP leader of unwanted physical contact

6 years ago

Duration 0:59

PC MPP Donna Skelly claims Andrea Horwath pushed her, but the NDP leader says it was just a tap and "this is silliness."

Skelly said she was not physically harmed and is not intimidated by Horwath, but added she believes no one should feel threatened at work.

"I think (Horwath)needs to probably consider some anger management. She's clearly an angry woman when you see her across the hall."

HorwathtellsSkellyto look in the mirror

Horwathlaughed when reporters asked her aboutSkelly'saccusation and said she was never escorted away by the clerk.

"I am absolutely saying that this is not true, this is not what happened," saidHorwath."I simply tapped the woman on the shoulder."

She refused to answer when reporters asked how hard she tapped her, instead describing the government's focus on the incident as "hyper-partisan nastiness" and a diversion.

As forSkelly'sadvice of seekinganger management help,Horwathhad a suggestion of her own.

"I think she needs to look in the mirror."

There has to be a 'bright line'

TheNDPsays the incident was sparked byPCMPPswho were intentionally blocking a legislature camera that was recordingHorwathspeaking.

EnergyMinister Greg Rickfordsaid he witnessed Horwathstorming overwith a "red face" and that she made contact with Skelly's shoulder in a manner he would consider a push.

He added politics can get heated, butmembers aren't supposed to touch each other.

"Tempers flare, people make accusations but there's got to be a bright line ... it's not acceptable to make a member feel physical intimidation is part of how we conduct ourselves."

In response to Skelly, opposition house leader Gilles Bissoncalled the alleged attempts to block the camera "absolutely inappropriate, disrespectful and beneath the dignity of this house.

"This point of order has no merits, so let's move on to the important issues that are facing Ontario families," he added.