Anders apologizes for saying Mulcair hastened Jack Layton’s death

OTTAWA – A maverick Conservative MP has apologized for suggesting that NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair helped to hasten the death of predecessor Jack Layton.

Calgary MP Rob Anders made the comments in an interview with the website iPolitics, saying Mulcair pushed Layton into the last election, even though he was in ill health.

Anders claims Mulcair forced Layton through the campaign by saying he was step aside if he was sick, and that strain eventually led to his death.

He was also quoted as saying that it’s one of the big stories from the election that journalists missed.

Anders has now issued a two-sentence apology saying his comments were insensitive and inconsiderate. He also apologized to Mulcair and the Layton family.

Layton’s widow, Olivia Chow, has accepted the apology, and dismissed Anders’ claims.

“Like all the other NDP Members of Parliament, Tom Mulcair loved Jack. We’d rather put all our energy in fighting for a better world, a better Canada and not stab each other in the back,” Chow said.

The Prime Minister’s Office was quick to distance itself from the remarks, saying they in no way represent the views of PM Stephen Harper or the government.

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