Former B.C. RCMP spokesperson settles sex harassment lawsuit

RCMP say a settlement has been reached in a lawsuit that alleged a former spokesman for the force in British Columbia sexually harassed a civilian employee.

The lawsuit against former inspector TimShieldshad been scheduled to go to trial on Tuesday but court documents show the parties agreed to dismiss the action without costs in May.

RCMP Sgt. Janelle Shoihet says the terms of the settlement are confidential.

A lawyer for the woman who filed the lawsuit and an attorney forShieldsdid not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The civil claim also named the provincial justice minister and Canadian attorney general, alleging a top-down culture of harassment within the force.

Shields, the justice minister and the attorney general denied the allegations in statements of defence and none of the allegations were proven in court.

A different harassment lawsuit againstShieldswas also settled in February 2017. AB.C. Provincial Court judge found him not guilty of one count of sexual assault in a separate criminal case that ended in December.