Ontario Premier Ford ousts MPP for meeting with anti-Islam campaigner
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OTTAWA: (Web Desk) Ontario Premier Doug Ford has kicked Ottawa-based MPP Goldie Ghamari out of the Ontario PC caucus after she met with a far-right British activist and anti-Islam campaigner.

 Recently, Ghamari posted a photo of herself with Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, on X.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) expressed outrage over the post, calling Robinson a "well known Islamophobe and criminal."

Also read: Protesters in Germany call for end to Islamophobia

A statement from the Ontario Premier refers Ghamari's "serious lapses in judgment" regarding her meeting with the controversial figure.

"This decision follows repeated instances of serious lapses in judgment and a failure to collaborate constructively with caucus leadership and as a team member," the statement says.

"While this decision did not come easily, it has become clear that MPP Ghamari can no longer continue in her role within our caucus."

Also read: UN adopts Pakistan’s resolution to combat Islamophobia with majority vote

Ford’s office initially said in a written statement that the premier was “extremely disappointed” in Ghamari’s decision to give a platform to someone whose behaviour and beliefs are at odds with those of the government.

Ghamari wrote in a subsequent statement that she condemns all forms of Islamophobia and antisemitism, and that she was not aware of Robinson’s history prior to their meeting.

Ford’s office says he decided to remove her from caucus after that follow-up statement, with a spokesperson for the premier saying it “speaks volumes about her judgment and honesty.”