Ontario’s finance minister has filed a defamation suit against the former leader of the Progressive Conservative party for allegations made in a recently published book.

Vic Fedeli alleges Patrick Brown made false and defamatory comments about alleged sexual misconduct in his book, “Takedown: The Attempted Political Assassination of Patrick Brown,” which was published in November.

In an unproven statement of claim, Fedeli says the allegations were a vicious attack on his character intended to damage his reputation as Brown settled political scores.

Brown, who resigned as party leader last year amid allegations of sexual misconduct that he denies, portrayed himself in his book as a victim of a conspiracy led by senior Tory officials.

He wrote that Fedeli faced accusations of “inappropriate behaviour” by a party staffer in December 2017, which Fedeli has denied.

Book publisher Dean Baxendale, who is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, says neither his company nor Brown have been served with the suit and will not comment until that happens.

(The Canadian Press)
File photo THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young