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TORONTO — Former Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown has filed a defamation lawsuit against CTV News over its reporting of what he alleges are false accusations of sexual misconduct.

Brown, who stepped down in January hours after the CTV report, alleges the network and several journalists involved in the story acted maliciously and irresponsibly in publishing the accusations brought forward by two women.

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In his statement of claim, the Barrie, Ont., politician says CTV and its reporters failed to properly scrutinize and verify the allegations, which date back to his time as a federal MP.

He further alleges the network gave him only hours to respond before broadcasting the story on Jan. 24.

Brown has vehemently denied the allegations, which have not been independently verified by the Canadian Press, saying there are discrepancies in the women’s stories. He is seeking $8 million in damages and an order that CTV remove all material suggesting he provided underage girls with alcohol.