Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari has been kicked out of the Ontario PC caucus after meeting with a far-right British activist and anti-Islam campaigner.
A statement Friday from Ontario Premier Doug Ford doesn’t mention that controversial figure by name, but rather refers Ghamari’s “serious lapses in judgment.”
“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 reads.
“While this decision did not come easily, it has become clear that MPP Ghamari can no longer continue in her role within our caucus.”
Ghamari, an Ottawa based MPP, recently 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.”
We are shocked and furious that MPP Goldie Ghamari has decided to once again demonstrate completely unacceptable conduct for a sitting elected official.<br><br>MPP Ghamari yesterday decided to post with herself and well known Islamophobe and criminal Tommy Robinson.<br><br>Robinson went to… <a href=”https://t.co/1Erwgs29EK”>pic.twitter.com/1Erwgs29EK</a>
—@nccm
Responding to the NCCM, Ghamari claimed to be unaware of Robinson’s “history,” explaining she met with him to discuss Canada’s recent decision to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity.
I condemn all forms of Islamophobia and Antisemitism. Hate has no place in Ontario.<br><br>I was not aware of Mr. Robinson’s history prior to our meeting.<br><br>I chose to meet with him because I am an Iranian-Canadian immigrant who has been speaking out on behalf of human rights violations… <a href=”https://t.co/7OJN4nMADf”>https://t.co/7OJN4nMADf</a>
—@gghamari
“I condemn all forms of Islamophobia and Antisemitism,” Ghamari wrote on X.
“I was not aware of Mr. Robinson’s history prior to our meeting. I chose to meet with him because I am an Iranian-Canadian immigrant who has been speaking out on behalf of human rights violations by the Islamic Regime in Iran against Iranians in Iran and their attempts to spy and threaten Iranians in Canada.”