Brazeau charged with assault, sexual assault
Posted February 8, 2013 7:07 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
GATINEAU, QUE. (NEWS1130) – Ousted Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau has been charged with assault and sexual assault. He was arrested yesterday at his Gatineau, Quebec home after a reported domestic violence call.
He has been in court all morning after spending the night in custody. He arrived in an unmarked, beige police van with a massive crowd of photographers greeting him outside. He has been released on bail with a number of conditions.
The 38-year-old was booted from the Conservative caucus almost immediately after his arrest. He intends to stay in the Senate as an Independent.
The upper chamber does have the option to suspend him until the court case is dealt with. He can’t be kicked out of the chamber until he is convicted of a crime or if he chooses to resign. However, because of the charges Brazeau will be on leave until further notice.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is in BC today, says he feels “let down” by the circumstances surrounding Brazeau. He considers the Senator’s situation as “terrible,” “extremely appalling,” and “disappointing.”
However, he was quick to point out most people in the Senate are hardworking people who take their responsibilities and jobs very seriously.
Yesterday, many Liberals Senators expressed anger over the news, saying violence against women is unacceptable.
Brazeau is already under investigation by the Senate for collecting a housing allowance he may not have been eligible for.
He is expected to be back in court next month on the assault charges.
