Days after a rookie MLA based in northern Alberta was arrested while in the United States on government business, the premier has broken her silence.
At the annual Premier’s Breakfast at the Legislature, Premier Alison Redford condemned the incident that took place in St. Paul, Minnesota on Monday.
On Monday, Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Mike Allen was arrested on suspicion of soliciting prostitution online, in a prostitution sting in that city – he was one of 13 people arrested in the operation.
In the wake of the arrest, Allen resigned from the Progressive Conservative caucus.
Redford said Thursday that the issue of prostitution is close to her heart – when she served as Justice Minister, she worked on problems such as sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
“Well I was shocked and disappointed to see the conduct,” Redford said. “It’s not at all the conduct that I expect from anyone in our caucus.
“It is more than inappropriate, I was disgusted by it, we will let the course of justice proceed.”
The St. Paul City Attorney has been reviewing the case, and a decision on whether to lay charges is expected Friday.
As for Allen’s political future, Redford wouldn’t talk about whether he should withdraw from provincial politics altogether – or if he isn’t charged, whether he would be welcomed back into the conservative caucus.
Redford said Allen had repaid expenses related to the Minnesota trip.
With files from Bill Fortier
