A veteran Progressive Conservative operative fired from Ontario Power Generation after an unusual personal intervention from Premier Doug Ford’s chief of staff has officially left the utility.

Alykhan Velshi, who was chief of staff to both former PC leader Patrick Brown and interim leader Vic Fedeli, departed OPG on Friday.

But sources told the Star that the previously reported $500,000 severance to Velshi “greatly exceeds” what he will actually receive for just a few months on the job.

The Globe and Mail first disclosed that Ford’s chief of staff, Dean French, phoned OPG chair Bernard Lord to demand Velshi be removed from the Crown utility earlier this fall.

Three Conservative sources confirmed that account to the Star.

“I am writing to let you know that we have made the decision to part ways with Alykhan Velshi,” Jennifer Rowe, the generator’s senior vice-president of corporate affairs, wrote in a note to staff Friday.

“We have been working with him on a thoughtful and orderly transition and have agreed his last day in the office will be today,” said Rowe.

“I want to thank Alykhan for his contributions and professionalism during his time at OPG. I wish Alykhan all the best and have no doubt that he will make a strong contribution in his future endeavours.”

Velshi confirmed in an email that Friday was “my last day at OPG as vice-president of stakeholder relations after receiving notice I would be terminated in September.”

“The last few months have been difficult for me both personally and professionally, so my regret at leaving OPG under these unusual circumstances is tempered by some measure of relief,” he wrote.

“I am proud of the work the stakeholder relations team accomplished during my brief time at OPG and I want to thank my colleagues for making that possible,” he added.

“Everyone I worked with at OPG acted with great professionalism and sensitivity. I know these last few months have not been easy for them either. As the terms of my arrangement with OPG are confidential, I am unable to provide further comment.”

Once a key aide to former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper, he was instrumental in keeping the Tories on the rails after Brown resigned under a cloud in January.

Working closely with Fedeli, who is now finance minister, Velshi ensured a relatively seamless transition for Ford when he became PC leader in March.

But for reasons that remain unclear, the premier’s chief of staff expressed his displeasure with his appointment to OPG.

The defenestration has dogged Ford since it became public more than two weeks ago.

“OPG is responsible for doing their own hiring,” the premier repeatedly insisted earlier this month.

Energy Minister Greg Rickford echoed that sentiment.

“Ontario Power Generation is responsible for their own staffing decisions. OPG is a Crown corporation that is responsible for their own staffing decisions. All staffing decisions at OPG are made by OPG,” said Rickford.

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While Ford has long been at odds with Brown, who resigned after allegations of a sex scandal surfaced in January, Velshi is not close to his former boss.

On Jan. 24, he was one of four key Brown aides who resigned en masse after CTV News broke the story that felled the then-PC leader.

Brown, who published a scathing memoir critical of Velshi two weeks ago, has denied any wrongdoing and is suing CTV News, which stands by its reporting, for $8 million.

Robert Benzie is the Star’s Queen’s Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

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