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Andrew Scheer, the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, who has appeared on The Rebel several times, released a statement Thursday saying he is boycotting the outlet because of its “editorial directions,” and because it gives a platform to “hate groups.” Scheer had previously scheduled an interview with the Post for Thursday, to discuss The Rebel and the question of free speech on university campuses — which he had made a key part of his leadership platform — but the interview was abruptly postponed.

“I am disgusted by the vile comments made by hate groups this past weekend,” read the statement Scheer offered instead. “I believe there is a fine line between reporting the facts and giving those groups a platform. I have a positive vision for Canada and I want to share that vision with Canadians and talk about issues that unite us all. Until the editorial directions of the Rebel Media changes, I will not grant interviews to the outlet.”

Scheer’s leadership campaign manager, Hamish Marshall, was until recently on The Rebel’s board of directors, but told Maclean’s he is “in the process” of cutting ties with the company, a decision he said he made months ago, unrelated to the Charlottesville protests.

I believe there is a fine line between reporting the facts and giving those groups a platform

Marshall now works as campaign manager for Brian Jean in his bid to lead Alberta’s United Conservative Party. Jean also announced Thursday he would not appear on The Rebel again “unless their direction changes in a significant way.” Jean’s chief rival for the UCP leadership, Jason Kenney, on Thursday also condemned the outlet’s “alt-right editorial direction of recent months.”