NDP Leader Todd Hardy has kicked longtime Kluane MLA Gary McRobb out of the party's caucus.

'Unfortunately, Gary (McRobb's) actions have brought about this decision that I've had to make. It was a violation of trust, a violation of ethics of the NDP in how we operate and work together,' Hardy told a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

Hardy said it had been brought to his attention McRobb had sent a letter out to his constituents stating he would not be running with the NDP in the next territorial election, and was seeking their opinion on if he should run as an independent or a Liberal.

Premier Dennis Fentie must call an election by November this year.

McRobb's letter was the 'last straw' in a series of problems with the MLA, said Hardy.

'Our position is now that there's an upcoming election, this is not the time to be shopping yourself around,' said Hardy, adding the decision to oust McRobb was not a 'snap decision.'

Hardy said he spoke with the Kluane MLA Tuesday morning and asked for copies of any correspondence he had sent to the Haines Junction newspaper or flyers given to constituents regarding his future affiliation with the NDP.

McRobb said he would provide the information within about a two-hour timeframe, but never forwarded it, said Hardy.

At approximately 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, Hardy then issued a letter to McRobb stating, 'I am now fully aware of the contents of your message to your constituents and find your actions unacceptable.

'Our caucus has always operated on the basis of open dialogue and trust. Unfortunately, you have betrayed that trust and I have no choice but to remove you from caucus.'

Hardy followed the letter with two phone messages left at McRobb's homes and sending a letter to Speaker Ted Staffen informing him of the decision.

McRobb was first elected in 1996 and has been serving as the critic for Health and Social Services and Energy, Mines and Resources. He was also the official Opposition House Leader under Hardy's leadership.

McRobb said today he was surprised by Hardy's decision to kick him out of the party.

'It doesn't make sense, because Eric (Fairclough) and I were in lockstep all the way. We were acting in unison on this,' said McRobb.

Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell has confirmed he has had discussions with McRobb and the Mayo-Tatchun MLA over the last several months. He added he had joint meetings with the two men.

'Gary McRobb and Eric Fairclough had concerns about continuing into the next election with their current caucus,' said Mitchell.

'My understanding is that they both intended to talk to their constituents and look for direction within their constituency as to how they would be moving forward.'

He added it was the two NDP MLAs who initiated the discussions, not himself.

The conversations revolved around the possibility they may run as independents in the next territorial election or may consider running as Liberals, said Mitchell.

No decisions had been made, however, said Mitchell, and he was on the understanding they planned to take their concerns to their constituents to see what they thought.

'I think that the way in which these two members are both looking for direction within their constituency is the right way of doing things. It's being done in advance of an election not after an election.'

Fairclough confirmed to the Star this morning he has had multiple conversations with Mitchell beginning 'quite a ways back.' The talks have been both with and without McRobb, he said.

The conversations were 'quite innocent' and focused on developing a better understanding of Mitchell as leader of the Liberal party, said Fairclough.

He added he hadn't decided what his political future holds and believes it is not a decision to be made by himself.

He had intended to start public consultations today to get a better understanding of what his constituents want.

Fairclough said he currently intends to run in the next election, but believes his constituents have the option of telling him they would prefer another candidate.

Talks with Hardy have also been honest and open, he said, and the party leader was aware of his plans to consult his constituents.

Fairclough said he spoke with Hardy on Monday and had a meeting with the NDP leader about a week prior.

Hardy agreed he spoke with Fairclough this week, but said the MLA had told him the option he was considering was to not run for office again. Hardy added Fairclough had told him Mitchell had initiated the conversations.

'(Fairclough's) question is quite a bit different,' said Hardy. 'He told me that he's tired. That he's done this for 10 years.'

Fairclough was first elected in 1996 and served as leader of the NDP from 2000 through 2002. He is currently the critic for Highways and Public Works and Education.

'(Fairclough) was going to go and talk to some people in his riding about should he or should he not run again. He honestly feels tired. That's fundamentally different,' said Hardy.

He added he can only go on what Fairclough told him, and trusts his words.

There was also the intention to meet with Fairclough again to further discuss the situation after he had the opportunity to speak with his constituents, said Hardy. The meeting was planned for after March 9.

But McRobb wants to know why he is being treated differently than his colleague.

'For me to be separated out, I have to ask why? (Hardy's) actions are knee-jerk and vindictive,' he said.

'He decided to take this approach to try to be the first one in the media,' said McRobb. 'He feels he can isolate me and hopefully try to some how keep a hold of Eric (Fairclough).'

Hardy said the key difference between Fairclough and McRobb was the Kluane MLA's letter to his constituents indicated the NDP is no longer an option for him.

McRobb's correspondence, dated Feb. 27, states: 'Many have suggested that I change my political affiliation by running as an independent or for the Yukon Liberal Party instead of the NDP. I am open to change provided it would benefit the riding and meet with your approval.'

McRobb said he has received 54 responses so far. Five people wanted him to stay as with the NDP, and one person wanted him to to run as an independent. The remaining 48 stated they would prefer him to run with the Liberals or would vote for him no matter what party he was affiliated with, he said.

'Gary (McRobb's) situation has been going on for 10 years,' said Hardy. 'I don't think it's a big secret that Gary has entertained these thoughts with other parties over the course of these last few years.'

But Fairclough said he was also surprised by Hardy's decision, adding he wasn't even aware of McRobb's ouster until it aired on CBC radio last night.

'I don't think (Hardy) should have removed anybody from caucus,' he said, adding he didn't feel his party's leader had thought 'too deeply' about McRobb's removal.

'This derails the whole plan of the way I wanted to go about about this,' said Fairclough. 'Gary (McRobb) did it through letter. I was going to talk to constituents.'

Fairclough said the media spotlight now sent in his direction will likely force him to cut his consultations short and make a decision sooner than he expected.

Hardy said he forwarded his letter addressed to McRobb to all of his caucus Tuesday afternoon. He has also been trying to get a hold of McRobb and Fairclough unsuccessfully since the press conference on Tuesday.

He added he has been trying to protect Fairclough's privacy in this matter and it was Mitchell and McRobb who provided his name to the media.

'Arthur (Mitchell) and Gary (McRobb) are wrong in invoking his name at every opportunity,' said Hardy.

MLAs talking to other parties prior to an election is not unusual, said Fairclough. He said he had talks with the Liberals prior to the 2000 election and that he has reason to believe Hardy is currently in talks with some other MLAs.

'Everyone wants to get who they can get,' he said.

Hardy also should have been clearly aware the two MLAs were looking at alternatives, said Fairclough.

The two sent a signed letter to Hardy on Feb. 20, which states: 'This is to notify you of our decision to openly seek feedback from our constituents with respect to our political options as their elected representatives.

'In the days ahead, we will seriously consider the feedback from our constituents and arrive at a decision.'

Hardy said the letter was shoved under his door on a Sunday night and he called a meeting with the two immediately after receiving the document.

During the meeting, the MLAs asked him to call a leadership convention, he said.

Hardy said he told them if they felt strongly about reviewing the leadership, they should take it to the party's executive themselves.

'I was not opposed to it, but I wanted them to check with the executive and I didn't necessarily think it was the best thing for the party,' said Hardy.

The NDP currently appears to be leading in the polls, he said, and being in the midst of a leadership contest when an election could be called at any time might not be beneficial.

But McRobb said this situation will draw attention to the lack of leadership in the NDP.

In his rural riding, McRobb said, he has heard constant 'negative comments about (Hardy).'

Hardy's resignation would be 'for the good of the party,' said McRobb.

McRobb's opposition toward the party leadership is not something new, said Hardy.

'He's always had a difficult time with leadership. I would say he wanted me to step down or have another leadership race. That would probably be consistent with what he's done with other leaders in the past.'

Hardy added the decision to out McRobb might work in the NDP's favour in the next election.

'There are going to be many people who believe that the NDP will be stronger because of this action. There will be others that will say that we're going to be weaker because we're losing a caucus member,' he said.

Mitchell was in touch with McRobb on Tuesday morning, prior to his ouster, and said he will be speaking to the MLA again in the future.

'I think any time you have an MLA who's been elected three-times-over with good majorities, it speaks to the fact they've obviously worked hard for their constituents,' he said.

He added having a mixture of experience and new faces in the Liberal party for the next election is important. It is also important to have strong representation from rural Yukon, he said.

'It's important for any political party to be represented as broadly across the territory as possible,' he said. 'If you're going to elect 10 or more members, you're going to have to elect them from more than just Whitehorse.'

McRobb said the Liberal party is currently the only choice for Yukoners in the next territorial election.

'Arthur Mitchell is the only leader out of the three you can trust and believe in and have confidence in,' he said.

Mitchell is more of a 'statesman', said McRobb, adding the leader 'takes the high road' and avoids the 'aggressive tactics' used by Fentie and Hardy.

McRobb added it's possible he may be sitting with the Liberals when the legislature reconvenes for its spring sitting. He said he expects further discussions with the party to begin soon.

Fentie has not yet announced when the house will sit again. Historically, it has begun its spring sitting in late March.