A Manitoba minister apologized Thursday for accusing an NDP MLA of yelling “Take your pants off!” in her direction.

The apology came immediately after Speaker Myrna Driedger ruled on the minister’s complaint, which contained the allegation against Wolseley MLA Rob Altemeyer.

“I would just like to take a moment to thank you for your ruling and to humbly apologize to this house, to you, and to the member for Wolseley,” said Culture Minister Rochelle Squires.

Speaker Myrna Driedger said she couldn’t actually rule on the off-the-record comments made during Question Period on Oct. 6. Driedger also noted she heard the words “take a pass” in audio of the incident.

“I could see the potential for various interpretations of what was said. But when I listened, I heard the phrase and I quote, ‘Take a pass on that,’ end quote,” said Driedger.

From the start, Altemeyer maintained he said “you’re gonna take a pass on it” to Premier Brian Pallister as Squires stood to answer a question on the premier’s behalf.

Altemeyer welcomed the speaker’s comments and accepted Squires’ apology.

“I was stunned and shocked and appalled that I would be accused of saying such a thing. I’m very relieved and thankful that the speaker ... quite clearly heard, as everyone else has heard, that I said no such thing,” said Altemeyer.

Altemeyer has consulted a lawyer about repeated mentions of the allegations outside the legislative chamber but hopes legal action won’t be needed to clear his name.

“I would hope that everyone involved, putting false accusations next to my name, would do the right thing and send me an apology,” said Altemeyer.

That request includes those Altemeyer says accused him of yelling “Shame!” at female MLAs, but not male ones, who voted against an NDP bill meant to combat sexual violence at post-secondary campuses. He said he was unfairly grouped with two of his colleagues in that heckling, who have since apologized.

Squires made her allegation on Oct. 13 after her party reviewed audio of the Oct. 6 Question Period, when the shaming incident also occurred.

The minister indicated emotions ran high at the time.

“It was following the heels of a very heated exchange in the house in which our female caucus members were heckled for how we were voting,” she said.

She later added, “I regret that day.”