Former PQ leader Andre Boisclair arrested on new sexual assault charge

MONTREAL – Former Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair was arrested today for the second time and is facing a new charge of sexual assault.

A spokeswoman for the provincial prosecution service, Audrey Roy-Cloutier, confirmed on social media that Boisclair had been questioned by Montreal police.

She said a charge of sexual assault was filed against him and he was released with conditions and a promise to appear in court March 1 in Montreal.

An order is in effect prohibiting the publication of any information that could identify the alleged victim.

The former politician was arrested last spring and charged with sexual assault with the participation of another person and sexual assault with a weapon.

In July, he pleaded not guilty to those charges, which were alleged to have occurred on or around Jan. 8, 2014 in Montreal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2021.