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Outspoken Conservative backbencher Rob Anders has apologized for suggesting NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair helped hasten the death of his predecessor, Jack Layton, by forcing him into an election despite his poor health.

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Anders, who was already considered isolated from leadership in his party, received a quick rebuke Monday morning from the Prime Minister’s Office and may face further discipline after his interview with political website iPolitics.

“I actually think one of the great stories that was missed by journalists was that Mr. Mulcair, with his arm twisted behind the scenes, helped to hasten Jack Layton’s death,” Anders told iPolitics’ Laura Stone.

“It was very clear to me watching the two of those gentlemen in the front benches, that Jack Layton was ill and that Mr. Mulcair was making it quite obvious that if Jack wasn’t well enough to fight the campaign and fight the election that he should step aside.”

Anders, who is sitting in one of the safest Conservative seats in the country, issued a terse apology as the Twitterverse began questioning how long Stephen Harper would tolerate a wildcard MP with a history of embarrassing his party.

“My comments in iPolitics with respect to Mr. Mulcair and Mr. Layton were insensitive and inconsiderate. I apologize to Mr. Mulcair and to Mr. Layton’s family,” Anders said in a statement.

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