MLA booted from caucus alleges he was asked to 'lie for Wab,' discredit PC account of tense handshake in 2023

A Manitoba MLArecently expelled from the governmentcaucus says he was punished for refusingto publicly back his party leader's explanation of a tense exchange in the legislature in 2023.

Mark Wasyliw, who was ousted from the NDP caucus last week, saidMonday he was asked to refute Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Obby Khan for accusingNDP leader Wab Kinew of swearing at him and shoving him during an extended handshake.

Kinew denied Khan's allegation, saying there was only a "tense verbal exchange."

While addressing reportersgathered in the lobby where his law office is located on Monday,Wasyliw said he was seated behind the men during the handshake, which happenedat an April2023 public event to mark Turban Day.

Later in the day, theFort Garry MLA says he received a call from party spokesperson RebeccaWiddicombe, who asked himto "go on social media and basically refute MLA Obby Khan's claims and to basically cast aspersions."

Wasyliw said he told his colleague he wouldn't do that because, based on his observations, he saw Kinew acting inappropriately.

He alleges, in speaking Monday, Kinew grabbed Khan's hand and pulled it toward his body, looking"angry and agitated and he was doing most of the talking," while Khan appeared"shocked and horrified." He added Khan was trying to leave, but Kinew was "holding him in place."

Refusal to followNDP's position

He said he relayed his account to Widdicombe.

"I told them that I would not lie for Waband that if the media had asked me, I would give them the version of events that I just gave you,"Wasyliw said.

"Her response to me was,'Well, we don't want that.'"

He said Monday he believes Kinew's actions during thehandshakereached the legal definition of assault.

WATCH| Security camera captures Kinew-Khan exchange:

Video of Wab Kinew-Obby Khan confrontation released

1 year ago

Duration 0:38

Security camera video of a confrontation between NDP Leader Wab Kinew and Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Obby Khan in the rotunda of the legislature earlier this month. The house voted unanimously to release the video on Wednesday.

Kinewnow serves aspremier and Widdicombeasdeputy chief of staff. Khan is running for leader of the Progressive Conservatives.

NDP caucus spokesperson Julius Chester described Wasyliw's comments Monday as a "series of misrepresentations."

"While this MLA is focused on negativity, our caucus is united in its focus to fix health care and make life more affordable for everyday Manitobans," he said in an emailed statement.

Wasyliw alleges he was further pushed out of the partyafter refusing to criticize Khan's account of the handshake. He said hestopped being called upon as a media spokesperson and wasn't invited to participate in election debates despite the lawyer being, in his opinion, the"most experienced debater" in caucus.

He said theNDP didn't askhim to speak at the pre-election environment announcement, despite being the environment critic, and didn't askhim to introduce the election announcementin his constituency, despite running in that constituency.

He did, however, lead an attack-style pre-election news conference in which the NDP alleged the PCs wereimproperly usinggovernment resources. He was also the NDP's spokesperson on issues surrounding the Sio Silica controversy.

Wasyliw said he's speaking out now because he'll no longer facerepercussions from the NDP.

"It was not a safe atmosphere. It was toxic and hostile in the caucus and had I come forward, I absolutely would have been expelled from caucus," he said.

Still, Wasyliw said he's "deeply ashamed" for initially refusing tospeak, apologizing to his constituents in Fort Garry and Khan.

He said he met with Khan last Friday, where he offered his regrets. Khan's leadership campaign accepted the apology.

Wasyliw said Khan was "telling the truth, andmy caucus knew it.And yet they cast aspersionson him. They attempted a character assassination and created a social media pile-on.He didn't deserve any of that."

Wasyliwsaid he's confident in backingKhan's telling of events, despite not hearing what was said during the exchange, nor witnessing the alleged shove from Kinew, sinceWasyliw said hisview wasobstructed at the time.

Several NDP MLAs, who were seated nearKinewat the event, wrote insocial media posts at the time theywitnessed no aggressiveness. Khan'saccusations are "baseless and unbecoming," Nello Altomare said on Twitter. Lisa Naylor tweeted Khan's accusation "plays on racist tropes."

Wasyliw said his own silence at the time speaksvolumes.

"I was also what people have termed an 'attack dog'" in the legislature, he said. "Itwas kind of strange that the attack dog, who's the main witness of this, was silent. Nobody seemed to ask the question about that."

At the time of the incident, Kinew saidhe criticized Khan for making partisan comments at the NDP-organized Turban Day event, but did not swear at him or shove. Khan said Kinew swore repeatedly and was aggressive in a way that left him shaken.

No shove seen in video

A video released later by the Speaker's office, shot from a security camera, doesn't include audio. It shows Kinew standing up and shakingKhan's hand while also grabbing the bicep of Khan's arm with his other hand.

The handshake appears to go on for 20 seconds. Khan takes a step away at one point and appears to try to leave, but Kinew continues to talk to him and the handshake does not break immediately.

At one point, Khan's back is to the camera. There is no evidence of a shove.

Wasyliw'sdismissal from the NDP caucus last week was initially attributed to his failure to "demonstrate good judgment" since a colleagueat the law firm where he works is defendingconvicted sexual predator Peter Nygardin court.

Caucus chair Mike Moyeshas since called that issuethe "final straw," but said Wasyliwshowedapattern of deceit and disrespectwell before his removal.

Meanwhile, Wasyliwhas called Kinewa "bully" and"dysfunctional and toxic leader" who pressures, bullies and demeans those who disagree with him. Kinew has denied Wasyliw'sclaims, said he invites dissenting opinions and expressed disappointment last Tuesday that the expelledMLA has"chosen to push a lamp off the table on his way out the door."

Wasyliw deniesspeaking outbecause he's bitter.

"I have been getting increasingly more uncomfortable with what's been happening at the legislature and with Wab Kinew'sleadership."

"I'm notupset that I've been kicked out of the caucus. I'm not seeking to get back in, especially if he's the leader."

He said he's happy to be an independent MLA who isn't restrained by apolitical party's rules.