Environment Minister Andrew Younger fired from Nova Scotia Liberal cabinet, caucus

Environment Minister Andrew Younger has been fired from Liberal cabinet and caucus after failing to testify at a trial of a woman accused of assaulting him two years ago.

Younger said he was prevented from testifying due to privilege granted to him as a member of the legislative assembly.

He said the privilegekeeps him from beingcompelled to testify while the legislatureis in session, even if the House is not sitting.

• Andrew Younger says he never refused to testify in assault case

Younger was the Crown's only witness the assault case againstformer Liberal staffer Tara Gault. Charges against Gaultwere dropped.

Younger to sit as an independent

Liberal Premier StephenMcNeilannounced Younger was firedat a news conference Thursday night.

McNeil saidYounger gave himmisinformation about what happened with his testimony.

Earlier Thursday, Younger contradicted himself during a 48 minute long news conference. McNeil also said Younger gave an unsatisfactoryexplanation to staff about his actions.

"In order for me to have someone in our cabinet and in our caucus, I have to be able to rely on the information provided to us," McNeil saidat a hastily-callednews announcement.

"I expect it to be accurate and forthright," McNeil said. "That's important to me."

"I wish him well. I wish his family well, but Ican no longer rely on the information that would have been provided to me," McNeil said.

"It's time to move on."

Liberal MLA RandyDeloreywill be the acting environment minister,McNeilsaid. Younger will sit as an independent.

Privilege an 'obscure law'

New Democratic Party LeaderMaureenMacDonaldhad called for Younger's resignation earlier in the day. FollowingMcNeil'sannouncement, she said she applauded the premierfor agreeing with her.

MacDonaldcalled invoking privilege "ahighly irregular way to deal with a witness in a criminal case."

The premier asked Nova Scotia's justice minister to review the law that established the privilege Younger invoked Thursday afternoon.

"My role is to make sure there isn't a double standard," McNeil said at the time.

McNeil called privilege an "obscure law that [Younger] and his lawyer determined to use."

Timeline

Younger's troubles first began two years ago.

• Oct. 22, 2013: The N.S.Liberal cabinet is sworn in. That same day Younger was allegedly attacked by Tara Gault, a Liberal staffer with whom Younger had a personal relationship.
• Dec. 23, 2014: Younger takes a personal leave of absence from his position as energy minister. His pay is suspended.
• Jan. 2015: Gaultwas charged with assault.
• Jul. 24, 2015: Younger is reinstated as a cabinet minister, this time to the environment portfolio.

Younger was first elected as the MLA forDartmouth East in 2009. Since then, Younger also hasbeen the minister ofcommunications and part of the gaming control act.

Younger previously was a regional councilor representing East Dartmouth - The Lakes. He also ran a documentary and communications consulting firm.