The federal Conservative caucus has given the boot to Derek Sloan after months of controversy involving the Ontario MP.  

Although the vote was by secret ballot, Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards was happy to tell Discover Airdrie that he voted for Sloan's removal, as did the majority of the Conservative caucus.

"I'm happy to indicate that I voted with the vast majority of the caucus, I believe, to remove him.  I've seen a pattern of bad judgement and a pattern of someone who frankly doesn't seem to put the interests of his constituents, his county, and his party ahead of his own narrow interests."

Sloan's controversial ideas ranged from attacking Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Medical Officer of Health to sharing COVID-19 vaccine misinformation.  Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said the party chose to remove Sloan not because of one specific event but because of a pattern of destructive behaviour and disrespect for the Conservative team.  

Sloan's latest controversy involved his accepting a political contribution from a well known white supremacist.  That, O'Toole said, was the last straw and led to caucus making the decision to remove him.

Richards says it's his hope is that Sloan, the MP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington, will show respect for the judgement that's been made by his colleagues.  He says voting for another MPs removal is not something another MP would do lightly.  "It's one of the toughest things that any one of us could have to do."

"I hope he shows some respect for the fact that maybe he's got some things to learn from this and, whatever he chooses to do next with his life he can grow from this experience."