Conservative MP Tony Clement resigned today following a recent scandal.
In the last three weeks, he shared explicit sexual images and a video of himself to what he believed to be a “consenting female.”
However, he now says the person was trying to extort him and has asked the RCMP to investigate.
In a statement today, Clement said he recognizes he’s gone down the wrong path and exercised poor judgment, and says he’s sorry to his family, party and constituents.
"I am committed to seeking the help and treatment I need in my personal life to make sure this will not happen again while also continuing to discharge my duties as a Member of Parliament," he wrote.
Meanwhile, Conservative party leader Andrew Scheer has appointed Lisa Raitt to take over for Clement as Canada’s justice critic for now.
"While I’m greatly disappointed with Mr. Clement’s actions, I am encouraged that he has decided to seek help and I wish him all the best in doing so," Scheer said.
The 57-year-old Clement has been a pillar of the Conservative caucus for more than a decade and was a senior member of the provincial party in Ontario before that.
Clement has twice been a candidate for leadership of the federal Conservative party and dropped out of the recent leadership contest early to endorse Maxime Bernier.
With files from the Canadian Press.
