MP-elect Kevin Vuong says he will sit as an independent amid calls to resign
Amid calls for his resignation, MP-elect Kevin Vuong reiterated that he plans to represent Spadina-Fort York as an independent in the House of Commons.
Vuong released a new statement Saturday evening, announcing his intentions to keep his job.
"I have decided to continue as an Independent Member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York and will work hard to serve the community," Vuong said.
In the statement, he also apologized for "the lack the disclosure."
The MP-elect was removed as the Liberal Party's candidate for Spadina-Fort York two days before the election following a Toronto Star report that revealed Vuong faced a sexual assault charge in 2019 that was later dropped by the Crown.
His latest statement comes a day after the riding's former Liberal MP Adam Vaughan urged Vuong to relinquish the seat. Speaking to CP24 Friday, Vaughan said Vuong lied and was not forthcoming during the vetting process.
"The reason he needs to resign is very clear. One, the mandate is compromised. He didn't earn it with a clear vote and didn't get a clear mandate," Vaughan said.
The revelation of Vuong's past charge came after thousands had already cast their vote in advanced polls. He also still appeared as the Liberal candidate on the ballot on election day as it was too late to remove him.
Vuong won the downtown Toronto riding with 38.9 per cent of the vote.
Since winning the seat, residents in the riding and officials have called for Vuong to step down.
Vaughan said he told the MP-elect to resign to show respect to the residents and that a byelection should be called to determine who will represent the riding in Ottawa.
He said Vuong ignored the advice.
"I warned him that in doing so, he was going to create significant problems for himself," Vaughan said.
"If he takes office, he will take office under this cloud. He will take office in a way that is quite controversial and without, as I said, a clear mandate."
Vuong has refused to talk to the media but has denied the allegations against him and said in an earlier statement issued earlier this week that he will "address them at a later date more wholly in a dedicated forum."
In that same statement, he acknowledged that "not everyone is happy" he was elected.
“I appreciate that not everyone is happy with my election, and I very much understand why it is different in my case," he said. "For those who feel this way, I understand the source of your doubts and I will work hard to earn your trust."
- with files from Codi Wilson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.