Conservatives Give the Boot to Alan Riddell

According to one Conservative party official, Riddell was 'an embarassment'. Why? Because he had the audacity to make public the fact that he was promised $50,000 to step aside from running in his riding of Ottawa South to make room for Allan Cutler (who lost anyway). And, when Riddell didn't get his money, he sued.

Yes, I'd say that is embarassing for the Conservative party, but does a man attempting to pursue due process through the courts deserve to be kicked out of his party?

The campaign to remove him from the party began back in May. National council member Sam Magnus made the formal request, saying Riddell's lawsuit was "an embarrassment to the party, including a virtual harassment" of party brass.

Riddell's riding association wrote to officials, urging them not to eject the man and underlining his good standing with the Conservatives.

Over the last two weeks, Conservative officials have rejected applications from at least three party members to run for the nominations in their ridings.

The would-be candidates complain that the reasons they were blocked were not revealed, and they were asked to sign confidentiality agreements that barred them from discussing their situations later.

Maybe they dressed up as Sgt Schultz when they were 17 too? (Is that tidbit even true? Apparently, Susan Riley thought it was, but I haven't found any other references to it.)