The Manitoba NDP's executive committee has turned down Steve Ashton's appeal of his party's decision to prevent him from running for the New Democrats in the next provincial election.

The former provincial cabinet minister and three-time leadership contender made his case to the party's candidate selection committee on Tuesday. He learned on Wednesday morning that his appeal to become the candidate for the Thompson legislature seat was rejected.

In a letter sent to Ashton, Tim Johnson, the party's provincial secretary, said the provincial executive voted to deny the former MLA's appeal. It did not explain the reasons behind the decision.

The letter adds that all prospective candidates who are rejected have the right to appeal to the provincial executive, but that the executive's decision is final and cannot be further challenged.

'Surprised and saddened'

Ashton, the constituency's MLA for 35 years, did not return a request for comment on Wednesday.

Blair Hudson, a member of the Thompson NDP constituency executive, says Ashton is devastated by the news.

"Steve is very disappointed — I think he's shaken," he said Wednesday. "Basically his whole adult life he's dedicated to the party. For him to not even have the opportunity to run was very, very disappointing."

Unlike other northern politicians who tend to move south once their time in office is complete, Ashton stuck around after his 2016 election defeat, Hudson said. He rebuilt the party's organizing capacities and helped run a pair of town halls.

Wab Kinew, left, and Steve Ashton square off in a 2017 forum as they vie for the leadership of the Manitoba New Democrats. The acrimonious race is being blamed for Ashton's refusal as a candidate for the next provincial election. (Steve Lambert/The Canadian Press)

He wasn't doing it for any glory, said Hudson, and was trying to get other people to carry the party banner. Ashton only recently changed his mind when those individuals insisted that he was the right person for the job, Hudson said.

"People see him around town and they still almost treat him as if he was the MLA," Hudson said.

He speculated that Ashton was rejected as a candidate as payback for his role in the acrimonious fight for party leadership won by Wab Kinew in 2017.

During the race, details of Kinew's past brushes with the law were leaked to the media — a leak some Kinew supporters claimed Ashton was responsible for.

It's an odd way to treat a longstanding MLA - Liberal MP Dan Vandal

Johnson said in a statement the NDP wouldn't explain why the executive turned down the appeal.

All prospective candidates rejected by the NDP's approval committee receive the group's decision in writing, he said. Hudson wouldn't share the contents of the letter, since he said it didn't include Ashton's response to the accusations.

In question period, Premier Brian Pallister pointed the finger at Kinew.

He renewed his suggestion that Ashton was forced out for revealing information about Kinew's past stayed charges for assault. Ashton has long denied any role in the leak.

"I'm not going to celebrate with [Kinew] the expulsion or exclusion of any person for releasing accurate, honest information to the public," Pallister said.

Kinew tight-lipped

Afterwards, Kinew denied having any role in the party's decision, saying he excused himself from any discussions around Ashton, and it would be inappropriate for him to weigh in.

"What I could say, as a general comment, about the leadership process is what I said from the stage on the day [of the leadership vote], is that I want to be a leader for everyone, and I've worked very hard in my time as NDP leader to bring people together in the party."

Kinew refused to speculate on the fallout of Ashton's dismissal, or speak to what the former cabinet minister's long career meant to the party.

"I for sure understand why you're asking the question, but I think in order to stay true to the recusal that I made from the appeal and the vetting process, I don't think I can answer it."

When asked if he wishes Ashton well, Kinew said, "I wish everybody well."

Ashton deserves better: Vandal

Ashton, the father of Churchill MP Niki Ashton, was first elected as an MLA in 1981 and served in a variety of provincial cabinet portfolios over his career, including transportation and emergency measures. He ran for leadership in 2009, 2015 and 2017.

The former MLA's failed bid for the candidacy reverberated among Winnipeg's politicians in Ottawa.

"It's an odd way to treat a longstanding MLA," said Liberal MP Dan Vandal.

"I think the key thing in a political party is that the process needs to be transparent and open, especially when you're talking about somebody who's served a long time."

Fellow Winnipeg Liberal MP and International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr said the matter was none of his business, but he was once seatmates with Ashton in the Manitoba Legislature when he was a MLA three decades ago.

"Personally, I wish him well," he said.

Ashton's previous leadership runs did not attract much support from fellow cabinet ministers, and he inevitably found himself up against a candidate backed by more members of the party establishment.

Hudson is confident Ashton won't run as an independent or join the Green Party, despite being spurned by the party he devoted decades to.

"If there's one thing I can say about the hearing yesterday, he did advise the executive that that's one thing he would never do — he would not turn his back on the NDP, even though, frankly, they turned their back on him."