Wab Kinew apologizes to defence lawyers as legislature session resumes [Video]

WINNIPEG –

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew apologized to defence lawyers Wednesday for comments he made when his NDP caucus expelled backbencher Mark Wasyliw.

Wasyliw, who is a criminal defence lawyer, was removed from the governing caucus last month because one of his colleagues, Gerri Wiebe, is representing disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard, who has already been convicted on sexual assault charges and faces more. At the time, Kinew said someone cannot be affiliated with both Nygard and the NDP.

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The rationale met immediate backlash from legal groups, who said defence lawyers play an important role in ensuring everyone has the right to representation in court.

Kinew initially did not back down. But on Wednesday, he called Wiebe to apologize personally and later apologized publicly on the floor of the legislature.

“The reasons given for the expulsion of one of our …