Former Liberal Han Dong disappointed to sit out federal campaign – National [Video]

Former Liberal MP Han Dong will not seek re-election after he says the party told him that they’d be running another candidate.

Dong, the independent member for Don Valley North, says he’s “disappointed” that he won’t be running in the upcoming contest, but said he didn’t want to split the vote in the safely Liberal riding to give the party its best shot at winning.

Dong stepped away from the Liberal caucus on March 22, 2023, after Global News, citing unnamed national security sources, published alleged details about his interactions with the Chinese consulate in Toronto. Dong reportedly had discussions with his party about returning to caucus since June 2023.

“As many of you know, I had no choice but to leave the Liberal caucus about two years ago to try and clear my name in response to false accusations Global News published about me,” Dong said in a statement published on social media.