Liberal candidate apologizes to Down syndrome groups for Twitter comments

A Nova Scotia Liberal candidate who was dropped over comments he made on social media in 2013 is apologizing for his behaviour. (Photo: Nova Scotia Liberal Party/Facebook)

HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia Liberal candidate who was dropped over comments he made on social media in 2013 is apologizing for his behaviour.

Pictou East candidate Matthew MacKnight issued a brief statement today saying he takes full responsibility for the comments on Twitter and didn’t intend for them to be derogatory or hurtful.

MacKnight did not reveal the nature of the comments.

But he apologizes to two groups that represent people with Down syndrome, saying “it was an immature comment” that not meant to be malicious.

MacKnight was ousted as a candidate after campaign chairman Chris MacInnes said Monday he was made aware of “highly inappropriate” comments.

MacInnes does not say what the comments were, only that they were unacceptable and run contrary to the values of the party.

Global News linked to a photo of the alleged tweet, which had MacKnight purportedly calling someone an expletive and using the hashtags #downsyndrome and #stupidcustomers on May 28, 2013.