[Dion]

Smith vows no more floor crossings

There’ll be no more floor-crossings,” the Wildrose leader said, taking reporters’ questions for the first time since MLAs Kerry Towle and Ian Donovan abruptly bolted the official Opposition on Monday to join the government backbenches.

Smith said she is confident she has the support of her remaining caucus members. She said she won’t resign from the party helm and won’t call for a leadership review.

Things got heated after Towle crossed the floor

Following the resignations, a coffee mug belonging to Towle left behind in Wildrose offices was smashed, though it’s not clear if it was intentionally broken. A photo of the broken pieces was then sent to Towle by a party staffer and shared on Twitter by former Wildrose MLA Joe Anglin, who now sits as an Independent.

Towle called the incident “hurtful.”

“I took it as a threat. I took it as a message that was supposed to be sent to me,” Towle said. “But I want to be very clear: I don’t think it was done with malice. I think emotions were high and it’s my understanding Danielle has dealt with it.”

Smith acknowledged the incident Wednesday, calling it an “incredibly inappropriate” action taken in a moment of passion.

“I understand the staff member feels very regretful for taking that action and it has been addressed internally,” Smith said.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ed...724/story.html