Windsor-Tecumseh Progressive Conservative candidate Mohammad Latif on February 24, 2018. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)Windsor-Tecumseh Progressive Conservative candidate Mohammad Latif on February 24, 2018. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
Windsor

Local PC Candidate Promises To Remove Fake News

Windsor-Tecumseh Progressive Conservative candidate Mohammad Latif says two dubious postings on his campaign's Facebook page will be removed.

A screen shot of one of two controversial posts shared on Mohammad Latif's campaign Facebook page. A screen shot of one of two controversial posts shared on Mohammad Latif's campaign Facebook page.

The first posting, shared from the Facebook page "Justice for Patrick Brown", alleges the CTV reporter who broke the story about allegations of sexual misconduct against former party leader and leadership candidate, Patrick Brown had been suspended. CTV has repeatedly defended the story and has not suspended the reporter.

Brown has filed a suit alleging libel against Bell Media, CTV, and several employees, but the case has not yet gone to court.

A second, a link to a story written by James Di Fiore, alleges interim PC leader Vic Fedeli also faces allegations of sexual misconduct, a story that has been reported by no other journalist.

"Somebody tagged me on that news that was not directly posted by me," said Latif Saturday when confronted about the posts by BlackburnNewsWindsor.com. "Actually I told my team to take it off that."

A screen shot of a second controversial post shared on Mohammad Latif's campaign Facebook page. A screen shot of a second controversial post shared on Mohammad Latif's campaign Facebook page.

Latif says he found out Friday the posts remained on the Facebook page.

Latif is an ardent supporter of Brown's and invited him to help open his campaign office on Wyandotte St. E in Windsor Saturday. He responded to questions after Brown again maintained his innocence and insisted his presence in the party's leadership race will not create a rift within the Progressive Conservatives or hurt their election changes in the provincial vote this June.

Local reporters asked Latif if he was concerned about his future in the party should a candidate other than Brown win the leadership race.

"I'm pretty confident he is going to be our next leader," said Latif. "Otherwise, whoever is going to be our leader, I'm going to work with him or her. There's no doubt on that."

Latif, a 51-year-old businessman, immigrated to Canada in 1995. While he originally lived in Windsor, he moved away to grow his business, returning when his mother fell ill a year ago.

Latif will run against incumbent New Democrat MPP Percy Hatfield. The Liberals have yet to pick a nominee, and Leo Lucier is the fourth candidate running under the Trillium Party banner.

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