The race to find a new leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative party was thrown into further chaos after former leader Patrick Brown filed papers to join the leadership race.

The move came on the same day that interim leader Vic Fideli announced Brown would no longer be welcome in caucus.

Brown’s name was added to the candidates list on the Elections Ontario website with 30 minutes to go before the deadline to register expired.

“This isn’t about me, this isn’t about the PC Party, this is about making sure that on June 7th, the Progressive Conservative party is successful,” Brown told reporters after emerging from PC Party headquarters.

“Let me say, what I’ve gone through in the last three weeks I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. It has been absolutely horrific, it’s like getting hit by a truck and then getting hit by a truck all over again. But what I can tell you is in that period I found strength.”

Brown left the scene without answers any further questions, adding he would have more to say on Saturday.

Fideli had indicated that he would not sign Brown’s nomination papers if the allegations of sexual misconduct against him still stood at the time of the spring provincial election.

PC Party President Jag Badwal issued a brief statement, acknowledging Brown had submitted the necessary paperwork to enter the leadership race but left open the possibility that he could still be dropped from the race.

“Earlier today I was informed by our Interim Leader Vic Fideli that he has removed Mr. Brown as an Ontario PC Caucus member,” read the 59 word statement. “Mr. Brown’s application will follow the same due process in the same manner as the other four declared candidates.”

In recent days, Brown has stepped up his campaign to defend himself against sexual misconduct allegations leveled against him by two women.

The accusations caused Brown to abruptly announce his resignation in late January, however, he has since said that the resignation announcement was sent out on his behalf without his permission.

So far, four people — former Tory legislator Christine Elliott, Toronto lawyer and businesswoman Caroline Mulroney, former Toronto city councillor Doug Ford and social conservative advocate Tanya Granic Allen – have thrown their hats into the leadership ring ahead of Friday’s deadline.

Brown defeated Elliott to become PC leader in 2015.

Mulroney and Ford both called Brown’s decision a “distraction” and disappointing.

“The determination of who is suitable to be a candidate in this leadership race is up to LEOC,” Mulroney tweeted out Friday as the news broke. “As I’ve said before, Patrick Brown made the right decision to step down. A leadership election is not the place for him to try to clear his name.”

“Our focus should remain squarely on beating Kathleen Wynne in less than 100 days. This is a distraction from that and I am disappointed.”

Ford issued a statement, saying the PC party is “objectively stronger without Patrick Brown.”

“The rot that was identified by out interim leader is real and serious,” he said.

“As Patrick Brown said on the night he tenured his resignation to caucus, defeating Kathleen Wynne should be our only objective. Patrick Brown should focus on clearing his name. The Ontario PC Party needs to focus on defeating the Wynne Liberals in June. The Ontario PC Party is about more than one person.”

Christine Elliott issued a tweet that did not mention Brown by name, saying “now is a time for unity. I am the leader that can unite the party and beat Kathleen Wynne.”

Related stories:

Patrick Brown removed from caucus

Resignation was sent out ‘without my permission’: Patrick Brown

Patrick Brown says he’s suing CTV

Patrick Brown and Ontario PCs in turmoil: timeline of key events

‘You lied:’ Patrick Brown lashes out at CTV over sex assault allegations