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BREAKING: Patrick Brown enters Ontario PC leadership race

Former leader's bid to reclaim position latest twist in story
Patrick Brown headshot 2017
File photo

Patrick Brown's name is officially listed as a candidate in the Ontario PC leadership race.

The former PC leader's name appears on the Elections Ontario website as registering as a contestant on Feb. 16, 2018.

The deadline to join the race was 5 p.m. Friday.

Other names already listed are Doug Ford, Caroline Mulroney Lapham, and Christine Elliott.

Brown stepped down as party leader in late January following a report by CTV featuring two anonymous women who accused Brown of sexual misconduct.  Brown said on Facebook yesterday that he is suing the broadcaster over its reporting of what he alleges are false accusations.

The story has taken numerous twists and turns since it broke.

Brown also challenged his accusers to contact Barrie Police so the accusations can be dealt with in a "proper and fair forum."

His comments came after one of the women told CTV News she was not under the legal drinking age or in high school during one of the alleged incidents, as originally reported.

CTV has said it is standing by its reporting. 

Earlier on Friday, Brown was kicked out of the Tory caucus, which means he will sit as an independent when the legislature resumes on Tuesday.

The new PC leader will be named on March 10 after a week of voting by party members.