Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford says he is going to keep Stephen Lecce as a candidate following an apology for attending a “slave auction” event that happened when Lecce was a member of a fraternity at Western University in 2006.

PressProgress first published a story Tuesday alleging that Lecce had been a part of Sigma Chi fraternity and participated in the “slave auction” fundraiser in which members are auctioned off to the highest bidders to be their slave for a day.

Lecce apologized in a statement saying: “The event from 2006 was inappropriate and in no way reflects who I am as a person, which is why I unreservedly apologize…I will continue to passionately advance the interests of all Ontarians- irrespective of faith, heritage, orientation or race.”

Speaking with media at a press conference Thursday morning, Ford said Lecce has his full support.

“I don’t discuss private conversations, but he’s sorry. This is something he did when he was 19-years-old in university,” said Ford. “He apologized for this, he said it was inappropriate, I believe it’s inappropriate… but let me tell you something about Stephen Lecce. He has been one of the strongest advocates for combatting racism is schools and he has my support-”

Ford speaks about Lecce during the press conference around the 13:00 mark:

Only Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs will Build Highway 7 https://t.co/gIDSTVG17Y

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 12, 2022

The Ontario NDP called on Lecce to step down from the upcoming election as MPP for King-Vaughan.

“Mr. Lecce chose to lead and participate in events that mocked and trivialized this painful history. He also chose to conceal them for years as a public official,” said three of Ontario NDP’s black candidates, in a statement.