Former Yukon Speaker charged with sexual assault

• Update | Former Yukon Speaker David Laxton found not guilty of sexual assault

David Laxton, the disgraced former Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly, is due in court later this weekto face a charge of sexual assault.

It stems from an incident alleged to have happened last February, but the details are not known.

Laxton resignedas Speaker inMay, citing an allegation of sexual harassment. In a statement at that timehedescribed a friendly hug and kiss offered to a long time acquaintance who he did not name.

Besides stepping down as Speaker, Laxtonleft the governing Yukon Party caucusto sit as an independent MLA. The Yukon Party later dumped him as a candidate in the upcoming election.

In July, the director ofYukon's Human Rights Commission,Jessica Lott Thompson, issued a statement saying that with the help of her office,Laxton and the complainanthad reached a "mutually satisfactory agreement",and the harassment matter was considered "closed".

Both Laxton and the complainant were also quoted in Thompson's statement, saying they were satisfied with the process.

Laxton called it a "profound learning experience."