Speaker clears Horwath of Tory MPP's pushing allegation - Action News
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Hamilton

Speaker clears Horwath of Tory MPP's pushing allegation

House Speaker Ted Arnott has ruled there's not enough evidence to support Donna Skelly's claim Andrea Howath pushed her in the legislature.

Flamborough-Glanbrook MPP Donna Skelly claimed NDP leader yelled and pushed her

Speaker Ted Arnott has ruled there isn't enough evidence to support Donna Skelly's allegation that Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath pushed her in the legislature. (CBC)

House Speaker Ted Arnotthas ruled there's not enough evidence to support Donna Skelly'sclaim NDP leader Andrea Howath pushed her in the legislature.

The Flamborough-Glanbrook MPPaccusedHorwathof stormingacross the floor "yelling, screaming" before pushing her.

Though she wasn't injured, Skellycalled Horwath and "angry woman" said she should consider anger management classes.

For her part, Horwathflatly denied the accusation and said she simply tapped Skelly on the shoulder to get her attention, adding the PC MPPis the one who "went ballistic."

Both are Hamilton area MPPs.

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."

Contacted through her constituencyoffice,Skellydid notrespond to a request for comment.

Speaking to reporters after question period Thursday,Horwathsaid she knew all along that theextent of the confrontation had beenexaggerated and added she was glad the allegation had been put to bed.

"I know what happened, I was part of that incident and I just have to say that Ms. Skelly's going to have to answer for her own actions and her own behaviour."

Arnott said he received written written submissions about the incident from both the government house leader and official opposition house leader.

"After carefully reviewing the matter I cannot find that a prima facie case of breach of privilege has been established," he said, explaining there was no evidence to suggest Skelly was blocked doing her duty as an elected official and voting.

Arnott stresses 'honourable disagreement'

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

Arnott urged members to respect each other in the legislature. (Ontario Legislature)

Noting the legislature can sometimes be an "adversarial" place where "heated exchanges" take place, Arnott urged members to be respectful of each other.

"It would be a disservice to this place and to those citizens that elected us, for us to tolerate honourable disagreement degenerating to the level of personal insult, confrontation and close-mindedness."