The trial of former MP Harold LeBel begins Monday at the Rimouski courthouse and is expected to last two to three weeks.
The former elected Parti Québécois (PQ) pleads not guilty to a charge of sexual assault that allegedly occurred in Rimouski in October 2017.
The identity of the alleged victim, who also worked in politics, was not disclosed, by order of the Court.
Arrested by police officers from the Sûreté du Québec on December 15, 2020, the sovereignist activist was immediately expelled from the PQ caucus by its leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, for the duration of the investigation.
“All sexual violence must be fought with force. No one is above the law, ”launched the PQ leader on December 16, 2020, indicating that his party will offer its full cooperation in the investigation.
Elected in the riding of Rimouski in 2014 and 2018, Mr. LeBel was one of the most appreciated parliamentarians in the National Assembly.
He was also one of the headliners of the Télé-Québec documentary series Our elected officialson the profession of deputy, the broadcast of which has been interrupted.
Released with a promise to appear, Mr. LeBel was able to remain an independent member, since the Act respecting the National Assembly does not prevent an elected member from sitting even if he is the subject of criminal charges. Only MPs sentenced to more than two years in prison for an indictable offense lose their seats in this kind of situation.
The parliamentarian, who was “ready, with humility and confidence” to stand for the October 2022 elections, finally gave up last March, when he learned that his trial scheduled for the spring would be held in the fall, “in the midst of election”.
“Deeply disappointed” to be “forced” to leave politics, he clarified that his decision had nothing to do with “a potential presumption as to the outcome of this affair”.
Harold LeBel will be represented by Quebec lawyer Maxime Roy, facing prosecutor Manon Gaudreault.
With The Canadian Press