Open letter urges Senator Don Meredith to resign over relationship with teen

After a weekend of silence, Senator Don Meredith is facing renewed pressure to step down from the Red Chamber in the wake of a scathing report about his sexual relationship with a teenage girl.

In an open letter obtained by CBC News, Senator Andre Pratte begged Meredith to leave quickly, for the sake of his colleagues.

"I am writing to plead with you to resign from the Senate as soon as possible," the letter says. "If you do not, I am afraid you will do yourself and, most importantly, the institution, unnecessary and lasting harm."

On Thursday, the Senate's ethics watchdog issued a critical report, finding Meredith violated Senate rules for having a relationship with a 16-year-old girl. 

The Senate Ethics Officer's report about what happened 2-3 years ago is as damning as it is thorough. The fact that throughout the inquiry you have not been cooperative adds to the injury," Pratte wrote in the letter that was sent to all members of the Senate.

"As a Senator, and as a man, your conduct was unconscionable. Although you have since taken "remedial steps", you have not issued an apology, to your victim, to the Senate or to Canadians, which you should have done long ago."

Meredith has not responded to multiple requests for an interview. But when CBC News visited his Richmond Hill, Ont., home, a woman who refused to identify herself said Meredith has no plans to resign.

Not 'fit to serve'

The letter compares Meredith's situation to that of former Justice Robin Camp, who is known as the "knees together judge."

Camp resigned last week after Canada's judicial watchdog suggested he be removed from the bench over comments he made during a sexual assault trial. 

refrence msn news