THUNDER BAY -- Local Liberal MP Patty Hajdu is the first cabinet support to speak out in support of Justin Trudeau concerning an 18-year-old groping allegation.
The allegation, which dates back to 2000, was made by ex-reporter Rose Knight, who claims Trudeau groped her at a music festival in Creston, B.C.
"I'm actually proud of a prime minister that understands that you can believe that you didn't have negative interactions with someone and find out later that someone perceived that interaction in a completely different way, and reflect on how our behaviour and the way that we make our way in the world impacts other people," Hajdu told CBC Radio on Friday.
Trudeau, who first commented on the matter last Sunday, said he was confident he did not behave inappropriately, but has been reflecting about it this week.
The ex-reporter confirmed that Trudeau apologized to her the day following the interaction.
In Trudeau’s comments throughout the week, he has said although he does not recall inappropriate behaviour, he is perceiving the interaction from different perspectives.
"It is not just my experience that matters in this," he said in a CBC interview. "Even though I don't think I did anything wrong, that's not the whole story anymore."
"That’s exactly the kind of leadership I admire," Hajdu said.
