TORONTO — Amid a major cabinet shakeup and the loss of a senior minister, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also lost one of his top communications staffers.

Ford’s director of issues management, Andrew Kimber, left his post on Friday, according to four sources who spoke with iPolitics on the condition of anonymity.

Global News reports Kimber left following a sexual-harassment complaint. iPolitics has not independently confirmed this report.

In a terse statement, the premier’s office would only confirm that Kimber resigned.

“As a matter of policy, we don’t comment on specific details of internal staffing matters,” reads the statement.

Kimber has been a key member of Ford’s team since the election; during the campaign, he and Melissa Lantsman ran the party’s war room. Since coming to government, Kimber has worked closely with the new premier.

[READ MORE: Ontario Minister loses top staffer after damaging news story]

A senior Conservative source described his exit as a “very big blow” to the premier’s office. Kimber was responsible for managing daily issues and putting out fires for the premier.

The premier’s office wouldn’t say if an investigation has been launched, but did spell out the process that could trigger one.

“Generally speaking, if allegations are brought forward to senior staff of the government or the PC caucus, a process is activated immediately and we provide staff with support and reassurance of their right to work in an environment that is free of harassment,” reads the statement from spokesperson Laryssa Waler.

“To protect the identity of any individual who brings forward an allegation, we would not comment on particulars.”

The sources told iPolitics that Kimber is joining the new public-relations firm run by former Ford campaign team members, Kory Teneycke and Mike Coates. Teneycke later denied that Kimber was joining the firm, telling iPolitics, “with respect to our company, we haven’t hired Andrew Kimber and have no plans to do so at this time.”

Kimber’s exit comes at a tumultuous time for the government. Ford’s minister with the most experience, Jim Wilson, resigned on Friday, citing addictions issues. One ministerial chief of staff left last week and two others were shuffled. And on Monday, Ford shuffled six cabinet portfolios.

In that shuffle, two ministers were demoted and a new minister was appointed.

Kimber did not reply to a request for comment.

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