NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. — Northside-Westmount independent candidate Danny Laffin is blaming allegations from 20 years ago that have been proven false for his not being allowed to run as a PC candidate in the upcoming Sept. 3 byelection.
In a late afternoon press release, Laffin said he accepted the decision of the Nova Scotia PC party to be removed as a candidate in the byelection, choosing to run as an independent. He says an anonymous letter was sent to the PC caucus the day after he was acclaimed from a person living in the riding who made false accusations but he did not detail what the accusations were.
“To be completely transparent, 20 years ago when I ran for a provincial seat, this same allegation came forward,” Laffin stated in his press release. “At that time the party leader Mr. (John) Hamm and his office took the allegation very seriously and completed a full investigation and it was unfounded, it was a lie. They stood beside me and gave me their full support as their candidate for our riding of Cape Breton North.”
Laffin says he takes total responsibility for not disclosing this allegation from the past.
“Looking back it was a mistake made from being confident that the unfounded allegation which was cleared by the same party I have been involved with for well over 35 years was a closed issue.
“I have taken this allegation very seriously when it was first brought forward, and I take it seriously today. Unfortunately, I have to accept that false accusations can be made without consequence except for those they are directed at. With that said, I will forge ahead and not let those with hidden agendas win.”
Laffin says he will forge on with his campaign and will keep fighting to improve local health care. He joins six other candidates including PC Murray Ryan, Ron G. Parker of the Green Party, Thomas Bethell for the Atlantica Party, Ronald Crowther of the NDP, Andrew Doyle, also an independent and Paul Ratchford for the Liberals. The winner will replace popular MLA Eddie Orrell who has resigned from his position to run federally.
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