Conservative MP Derek Sloan has been booted from the party’s caucus after it was revealed he accepted a donation to his leadership campaign from Paul Fromm, a self-proclaimed white nationalist.

Sloan didn’t dispute he received the money but said he was unaware of it, and it was unfair to expect him to scrutinize the backgrounds of all donors.

His socially conservative views have been a thorn in the party’s side and O’Toole had faced pressure for months to kick him out to prove the Tories are the moderate party the leader claims.

Sloan was first elected to the Ontario riding of Hastings-Lennox and Addington in 2019 and unsuccessfully ran for leadership of the party last year.

Statement from Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole

“The Conservative Caucus voted to remove Derek Sloan not because of one specific event, but because of a pattern of destructive behaviour involving multiple incidents and disrespect towards the Conservative team for over a year. These actions have been a consistent distraction from our efforts to grow the Party and focus on the work we need to do. Events of the past week were simply the last straw and led to our caucus making the decision it did today.”