Yukon Speaker resigned because of sexual harassment allegation

David Laxton's tenure as the Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assemblyended with a hug and a kiss and an allegation of sexual harassment, the MLA said in a statement.

Laxton resigned as Speaker on May 10 and also left the governingYukon Party caucus to sit as an independent MLA.

• David Laxton resigns as Yukon Speaker, Patti McLeod takes over

He says he had learned of the allegation the day before, and decided he "did not want this false allegation to impact the daily work of the government," according to the statement he posted Thursday on Facebook.

"The allegation involves an incident during business hours whereby I hugged and kissed a long time acquaintance when she was leaving my office, which was intended as a friendly gesture," Laxtonwrote.

The statementsays hethen"walked her to the foyer with numerous other people present where we hugged and kissed goodbye again."

"I am deeply sorry if the woman in question was offended or made to feel uncomfortable by my actions."

It's not known to whom the alleged victim complained,or how her complaint might be dealt with.

Laxton is asking the government for a "third party investigation,"saying he's confident his name will be "completely cleared."

Laxtonwill continue to sit as MLA for Porter Creek Centre, but decided that he should leave the Yukon Party caucus "out of respect for the government's zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment."

Premier learned of allegationMay 9

PremierDarrellPasloskiissued a statement on Thursday, saying he also learned of the woman's allegations againstLaxtonon May 9. He saidhe did not make them publicthen, since to do sowould have been "disrespectful and inappropriate,"since neitherLaxtonnor the woman had done so.

"I can say that we take all accusations about sexual harassment extremely seriously. There is no place for that kind of behaviour in this caucus or in our community,"Pasloski'sstatement said.

Floyd McCormick, clerk of the assembly, said he only knows what's in Laxton's statement.

"The complaints have not been brought to me," hesaid.

"The legislative assembly has the authority to discipline its own members.I don't think it has the authority to conduct an investigationthis type of investigationwhich could involve a person who is not a member of the legislative assembly."

McCormick said MLAs can be suspended or even removed from office, but "I think we're quite a long ways from anything like that occurring."

"As far as we know, there are no charges against Laxton, so at this point he would simply continue as a member of the legislative assembly."