BC Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay on Wednesday rejected allegations being levelled against her and her team, calling them baseless and part of an escalating effort to derail her campaign in the Abbotsford-Mission by-election.

On Wednesday, two more MLAs — Donegal Wilson, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen, and Scott McInnis, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke — left the BC Conservative Party, criticizing the manner in which Findlay has been running the party. Nine MLAs have now quit the party since August 14.

“These allegations are baseless. What we are seeing is a coordinated political attack designed to sidetrack our campaign at the very moment we are taking our message directly to the people of Abbotsford-Mission,” said Findlay.

“I have spent my career serving in positions of significant public trust. I am a lawyer, a former Canadian Human Rights Tribunal judge, a King’s Counsel and a member of the King’s Privy Council for Canada. I served British Columbians as a federal cabinet minister and later as Chief Opposition Whip in the Conservative caucus.I have been vetted numerous times to be given the highest security clearances.

“Those responsibilities carry serious ethical and professional obligations. I have always understood those obligations, and I have conducted myself accordingly.”

Findlay said attempts to portray allegations as established facts are irresponsible and should not be allowed to substitute accusations for evidence.

She added: “An allegation is not proof. Political opponents repeating an allegation does not make it true. Anonymous accounts posting material online do not determine guilt or innocence in this country.

“I categorically reject any suggestion that I engaged in illegal or unethical conduct.”

Findlay also announced that Chief of Staff Chris Delaney has offered his resignation which she has accepted. She has named Deputy Chief of Staff, Reann Gasper, to the role of Chief of Staff, effective immediately.

She said: “I want to thank Chris for his service and for putting the interests of British Columbia and our team first. Reann knows our movement, understands the people of the Fraser Valley and will provide steady leadership as we move forward.”