Liberals must have known of Sklavounos's behaviour: Lisee

CTV Montreal: Sklavounos accused While Gerry Sklavounos has resigned from the Liberal caucus, some are saying the justice system must be given time to handle the case properly.

Parti Quebecois leader Jean-Francois Lisee is demanding an explanation from the Liberal house leader Jean-Marc Fournier on how a complaint against MNA Gerry Sklavounos went unpunished.

Sklavounos is facing allegations he sexually assaulted a Quebec City woman two years ago after meeting at a restaurant where she worked.

Lisee said a former PQ political attache had complained about inappropriate behaviour on the part of Sklavounos in 2012 or 2013, when Fourner was acting as the party’s interim leader and Sklavounos was deputy leader.

The PQ leader said the complaint was forwarded to the Liberal whip and the inappropriate behaviour ended. However, Lisee said it’s “impossible to believe” that Fournier was unaware of the episode and Sklavounos remained deputy leader, a position he maintained after the election of Philippe Couillard as premier in 2014.

On Friday, Couillard said he knew nothing of the allegations against the Laurier-Dorion MNA, who was expelled from the party caucus on Thursday afternoon, and had learned of the accusations earlier that week in the news.

Sklavounos’ accuser, Alice Paquet, said she filed a complaint with police in the last few months. When members of the National Assembly are accused of crimes, the party chief’s office is informed, said Lisee.

“How is it that when Ms. Paquet filed her complaint in March, the office of Premier Couillard was not notified?” he said. “It’s very hard to believe.”

Sklavounos has not been formally charged and has maintained his innocence.

Several MNAs have called on him to resign, including Nathalie Roy of the Coalition Avenir Quebec. However, Lisee did not go that far. He urged the public to give police time to investigate before calling for action.

“The presumption of innocence is like the freedom of expression,” he said. “It’s important to apply it when it pains us to do so, otherwise it’s not a strong principle.”

If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can reach the Montreal Sexual Assault Centre 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 514-933-9007 or 1-888-933-9007.