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Tense Handshake Incident Turns Violent: MLA Ousted from NDP Caucus Now Claims Assault
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Vancouver, BC – In a shocking turn of events, a MLA who was ousted from the NDP caucus after a tense handshake incident has now claimed that the encounter turned violent and was an assault.
According to sources, the MLA, who wishes to remain anonymous, was removed from the caucus after a heated argument with a colleague during a meeting. The incident reportedly involved a handshake that turned into a physical altercation.
In a shocking twist, the MLA has now come forward to claim that the incident was an assault and that they were left with serious injuries. The MLA has released a statement saying that they are seeking medical attention and that they will be taking legal action against the colleague who allegedly assaulted them.
"I am still trying to process what happened," said the MLA in a statement. "I was simply trying to resolve a disagreement through a handshake, but it quickly escalated into a physical altercation. I was left with serious injuries and I am still trying to come to terms with what happened."
The NDP caucus has issued a statement saying that they are taking the allegations seriously and that they are conducting an investigation into the incident.
"We take all allegations of assault seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident," said a spokesperson for the NDP caucus. "We will not tolerate any form of violence or harassment within our caucus and will take appropriate action if the allegations are found to be true."
The incident has sent shockwaves through the political community and has raised questions about the level of respect and decorum within the caucus.
"This is a very serious incident and we need to get to the bottom of it," said a senior government official. "We need to ensure that our caucus is a safe and respectful place for all members and that we take all allegations of assault seriously."
The MLA’s identity has not been released and the investigation is ongoing.
Tense handshake incident an assault, MLA ousted from NDP caucus now says
Carol Sanders Posted: 12:30 PM CDT Monday, Sep. 23, 2024
A politician recently ousted from the NDP caucus says a tense handshake between Wab Kinew and a then-Tory cabinet minister last year met the legal definition of an assault.
It’s the latest allegation made by Mark Wasyliw against the premier since he was ousted from caucus a week ago. The Fort Garry MLA and defence lawyer held a news conference Monday to “correct the record” about what happened to Progressive Conservative Obby Khan at a Turban Day event at the legislative building on April 13, 2023, months before the NDP won the fall election.
Khan made a formal complaint to the legislative assembly about the incident, which happened at a gathering hosted by the NDP. It occurred when Khan went to shake hands with then-opposition leader Kinew after making a speech to the crowd assembled in the rotunda.
Khan, who was minister of sport, culture and heritage at the time, accused Kinew of intimidating him, using profane language and being violent.
The Fort Whyte MLA said in his complaint that Kinew pulled him in close, uttering profanities and insults to express his displeasure with the minister’s speech. Khan had told the audience that the banners of the PC and Liberal parties should also have been displayed at the event.
Khan said at the time that the interaction with Kinew left him feeling threatened and unsafe. He said the NDP leader’s grip on his hand was strong. When he pulled away, Kinew wouldn’t let go, and the exchange concluded with a “physical shove” to his stomach, Khan said.
Kinew said at the time that there was a heated exchange but no profanity or shoving. The NDP caucus accused Khan of lying, saying it was “a desperate attempt to distract by the PCs from their health-care cuts. Manitobans deserve better.”
Wasyliw said Monday he had “a clear, unobstructed view of what occurred.” He said Kinew’s face was “twisted and contorted — he was angry,” while Khan appeared “horrified” and was trying to pull his hand away.
Mark Wasyliw held a news conference Monday, saying he wanted to “correct the record” about the incident between Wab Kinew and Obby Khan on April 13, 2023.
“It was clear Wab wasn’t going to release his grip,” Wasyliw, who couldn’t hear what was said, told journalists Monday.
“Wab did most of the talking in an angry and agitated manner.”
Wasyliw will sit as an independent in the legislative assembly. The NDP caucus issued a statement Sept. 16 saying he was removed from caucus because of his association with a lawyer defending convicted sex offender Peter Nygard on criminal charges.
Wasyliw said he was asked by one of Kinew’s communications staff members to refute Khan’s claims regarding the Turban Day incident.
“I told them I would not lie for Wab, and if the media had asked me, I would give them the version of events I just gave you,” he told reporters in the lobby of the building where his law office is located.
Wasyliw said what Khan experienced meets the legal definition of an assault.
He said he’s coming forward now because he has concerns about Kinew’s fitness as a leader and to apologize to his constituents for not speaking up at the time.
“I suspect they would want more from their representative than what I showed that time,” Wasyliw said.
“It was not a safe atmosphere. It was toxic and hostile in caucus and, had I come forward, I would’ve absolutely been expelled from caucus by Wab.”
He said he apologized to Khan on Friday.
“He was telling the truth, and my caucus knew it, and yet they cast aspersions on him. They attempted a character assassination and created a social-media pile-on,” Wasyliw. “He didn’t deserve any of that. He deserved to be believed. He was telling the truth.”
The incident was investigated by then-Speaker Myrna Driedger, who ruled that because it didn’t occur inside the chamber or during any legislative proceedings, it was not a violation of Khan’s privilege as a member of the legislative assembly.
Mark Wasyliw said “It was clear Wab wasn’t going to release his grip,” when Kinew shook Obby Khan’s hand last year.
She released a 40-second surveillance video of the encounter that both Kinew and Khan have said proves they were telling the truth.
The video, which doesn’t include audio, shows Khan leaving the podium, in front of a large NDP banner, after making his remarks.
He approaches Kinew, who is seated, to shake his hand. Kinew stands up and engages in a prolonged handshake with Khan, who tries to pull away at one point and appears to be drawn in again by Kinew.
Wasyliw branded Kinew a bully after he was turfed from caucus.
“(Kinew) will bully people instead of trying to build consensus,” he said. “He is very demeaning to staff and MLAs when he talks to them. He will run them down — very disrespectful. The man couldn’t pass a respectful workplace review.”
[carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca](mailto:carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca)
View info-news.info by Bactrian_Rebel2020
What a sore fucking loser lmao
I couldn’t right a better story myself
Can these two idiots put their big boy pants on and get back to work. No one cares about your spat. Do your fucking jobs and shut up.
What a big baby. He didn’t get a position so be decided to continue working as a lawyer.
Now he is throwing a temper tantrum because he got kicked out of the caucus for being a part time MLA.
Every day the NDP’s decision to oust him makes more sense.
This is somehow getting even more embarrassing for everyone involved.
Just more sour grapes from someone who doesn’t belong in politics.
Are they taking cues from that Toronto police dept that is trying to charge a lady with assault for accidentally hitting a neighbor with a water gun?
Jesus actual Christ… If these are the kind of legal arguments Mark makes, maybe he should quit his day job…
Ok, Wab really handled punting him like a dumbass, but fuck this guy.
Sounds like someone can’t let go of
Really ….
So a Wab handshake is too much for Obby Con, a former CFL lineman? Wab is half the size of the dude.
My guess is this piece of shit lawyer plans to support the ConMan in his provincial leadership bid. Someone should let him know 2 pieces of shit aren’t any better than 1.
Peter Nygard Fires Lawyer, Cites “Discomfort” Of Being Represented By Someone Associated With Mark Wasyliw
Wasiliw identified as NDP out of convenience, but hes just another right leaning snowflake,, no surprise.
Obby Khan spent 12 years of his life getting smashed, beaten, and shit kicked on the football field and wants to call a handshake assault. Give your head a shake man
This is embarrassing
Obby’s version of his run-in with Wab didn’t pass the smell test in the first place. Mark is an idiot for trying to score points with it.
Sit down and shut up, Mark. Or, better yet, quit.
Khan and Wasilyw. Turds from the same asshole.