Trudeau ousts 2 ex-ministers from Canada ruling party

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ousted from his Liberal Party on Tuesday two former ministers whose accusations of political meddling in a prosecution jeopardized his re-election bid.

The announcement came at the end of an emergency caucus meeting to consider expelling former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould after her release of a secret recording last week that reignited the simmering scandal.

Former budget minister Jane Philpott, who had quit in protest over Trudeau's handling of the controversy, was also removed.

"Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott will no longer be members of the Liberal caucus," Trudeau said.

"The trust that previously existed between these two individuals and our team has been broken," he said.

"Whether it's taping conversations without consent or repeatedly expressing a lack of confidence in our government and in me personally as leader, it's become clear that (both) can no longer remain part of our Liberal team."
After resigning, she testified to lawmakers that she'd experienced "consistent and sustained" political pressure to interfere in the case, including "veiled threats."
"Our political opponents win when the Liberals are divided," he said. "We can't afford to make that mistake, Canadians are counting on us."