NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Singh confirmed that allegations of harassment have been levied against Saskatchewan MP Erin Weir. iPolitics/Matthew Usherwood

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh suggested Wednesday that he believes the only potential skeleton in his closet is language he used as a lawyer.

“I was a lawyer for a number of years and I looked at situations as a lawyer and used language that was legal and appropriate in the legal context but maybe wasn’t sensitive to the realities people face or the struggles people face,” Singh told reporters outside caucus.

Singh was asked about his past after the resignations of a number of high profile politicians amid sexual harassment allegations and as the #MeToo movement strikes Parliament Hill.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told CBC Radio’s The House on Tuesday that he didn’t think anything he’s done in the past could be misconstrued.

“I’ve been very, very careful all my life to be thoughtful, to be respectful of people’s space and people’s headspace as well,” he told CBC Radio’s The House.

As far as Singh is concerned, “I think there’s a lot I can do better and that’s one of my goals in life.” He said there are many examples in life where things may not constitute harassment or be criminal but where people convey negative messages.

When asked for an example of when he’s used “legal language” in the past that he may not use today, Singh pointed to the presumption of innocence.

Singh said if Canadians want to change the culture of silence, and for women to stop seeing their power stripped away, then they need to “believe survivors,” which he said is a fundamental departure from legal language and the presumption of innocence.

“There’s a distinction there,” said Singh.

Trudeau also pledged to “believe” women after Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown and Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative leader Jaimie Baillie both resigned within a day of each other amidst allegations of sexual misconduct. Brown categorically denies those allegations.

Kent Hehr, the federal cabinet minister for sport and persons with disabilities, resigned from cabinet Jan. 25 after a former Alberta legislature employee claimed Hehr called her “yummy” in an elevator. Hehr is under investigation but remains in caucus. So far Trudeau has said that the findings of the investigation into Hehr will not be made public.

Singh said that if those who complained against Hehr want the findings of the investigation to be made public then it should be.

Singh reiterated that “survivors need to be put at the front and centre.”