Patrick Brown and the publisher of his political memoir have said they will fight an $8 million defamation lawsuit from Ontario Finance Minister Vic Fedeli.

The filing was made in Ontario Superior Court of Justice, following a statement of claim filed by Fedeli’s lawyer in late January accusing Brown of making a “vicious and petulant attack” in his book Takedown: The Attempted Political Assassination of Patrick Brown.

The statement of claim says that Brown — now mayor of Brampton — made “false and defamatory statements” in the book and subsequent media interviews.

“Optimum Publishing will defend the book and the author’s story,” owner Dean Baxendale said in a statement Friday.

The next step for Brown and Baxendale is to file a statement of defence with the court.

None of the allegations have been tested in court.

Fedeli became interim PC leader after Brown abruptly resigned in January of last year following a report by CTV News alleging sexual misconduct with two young women. Brown has denied the allegations and is suing CTV for $8 million. The network stands by its reporting.

Fedeli led the PCs for about six weeks while the party held a leadership race, won by Doug Ford on March 10, 2018 on his way to a provincial election victory and the premiership in June.

Brown mounted a political comeback, planning to run for chair of Peel Region until Ford cancelled that election. Brown then ran for mayor of Brampton, defeating incumbent Linda Jeffrey.

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