Still embroiled in a case of alleged sexual assault, independent MP Harold LeBel is leaving politics. The former elected Parti Québécois (PQ) explained his decision Thursday by referring to the postponement of his trial until the fall.
“I will not be a candidate in the next general election,” simply launched Mr. LeBel live from his riding of Rimouski. The elected independent, who was to stand trial in the spring, was recently made aware by his legal team of the postponement of the proceedings until the fall, in the middle of the election period.
“I was hoping to live this moment [les audiences] in the spring,” observed Mr. LeBel, who said he was “disappointed” to have to give up on political life.
Elected twice under the PQ banner, the elected official was excluded from his caucus in December 2020 when he had been splashed by accusations of sexual assault. “All sexual violence must be fought with force”, had launched its leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, announcing his withdrawal from the team until the light is shed.
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