Investigation process into Jamie Baillie was fair, interim PC leader says

The investigation by Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservative Party into an allegation of inappropriate behaviour by former leader Jamie Baillie was fair, the party's interim leader said Tuesday.

Karla MacFarlane said she believes the use of a third-party Halifax-based lawyer was fair to both Baillie and a party staffer at the centre of the allegation.

"They both had no complaints during the investigation of the process," MacFarlane told reporters.

Baillie, who announced plans last fall to step down after serving as Tory leader since 2010, was forced to quit immediately last week after the party's investigation found he acted inappropriately and breached the legislature's policy on workplace harassment.

A statementissued Friday by PC party president Tara Miller said both participants chose not to follow the formal process laid out in the legislature's harassment policy, although definitions from the policy were used to make findings which concluded that Baillie was in breach.

'Proud of the steps we took'

MacFarlane said the formal process wasn't used because the complaint was brought to the party and not the caucus something party officials had previously stated.

"I would never foster a culture of silence, so I am very proud of the steps that we took."

MacFarlane said she feels the legislature's policy is a good one, but she's open to looking at any additions if anyone feels they are needed.

In last week's statement, Miller saidshe was told by "multiple sources" about a single incident that took place against "one individual" in December.

A caucus spokespersonlater clarified that the initial information Miller received did not come directly from the individual at the centre of the complaint. She said it was the result of that person telling other people who then went to the party president.