Mayo-Tatchun MLA Eric Fairclough has now also been removed from the Yukon NDP caucus.

Fairclough's expulsion by NDP Leader Todd Hardy came Wednesday afternoon, approximately 24 hours after longtime Kluane MLA Gary McRobb fell to the same fate.

Hardy expelled McRobb on Tuesday. He did so after becoming aware the MLA had sent a letter to constituents asking if they felt he should run in the next territorial election as an independent or a member of the Liberal party rather than the NDP.

Hardy said the letter was the final straw in a series of problems with the MLA.

The letter amounted to a violation of trust within the NDP caucus, he said.

Almost immediately after McRobb's ouster, the MLA and Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell began to ask why Fairclough hadn't been removed from the party as well.

Both men stated Fairclough had also been in talks with the Liberals and was asking his constituents for their input on the possibility of a party change.

'For me to be separated out, I have to ask, why?'' stated McRobb.

Hardy initially stated on Tuesday, during an earlier conversation with Fairclough, he'd been told the MLA was considering not running again in the next election, but not that he was looking into another party.

'He 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.

'I base everything on trust. I have to.'

But following the news of McRobb's ouster, Fairclough was providing a very different story in the Yukon media.

He told the Star he had been in discussions with Mitchell for quite some time and Hardy was aware he was consulting with constituents about his political future.

McRobb and Fairclough sent a joint letter to their leader on Feb. 20. It stated their intentions to 'openly seek feedback from our constituents with respect to our political options as their elected representatives.'

Fairclough said he was surprised Hardy had kicked McRobb out of caucus when they were both doing the same thing. The only real difference, said Fairclough, was that he was approaching his constituents verbally and McRobb had sent out a letter.

'I told (Hardy) I was going to be consulting with constituents,' said Fairclough. 'I was totally surprised (by McRobb's firing). I don't like the decision.'

Fairclough added he didn't think Hardy should have removed anyone from the caucus and that discussions with other parties leading up to an election are common.

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

Mitchell said he hadn't offered either men an incentive to join the Liberals. The final decision on if they would be permitted to become part of the party would rest with Liberal members and the two ridings' constituents, he added.

But he said it's important to have political experience and strong rural representation heading into the next territorial election, which must be called by November.

'There's always benefits to have experience as part of the team,' said Mitchell. 'It comes back to looking at the individuals and the representation they've provided to their constituents to determine whether that appears to people you'd like to bring with you.'

Hardy told the Star Wednesday afternoon he had to take action against Fairclough after hearing and reading his comments in the media.

'The facts are in stark contrast to what I was told over the phone (on Monday),' said Hardy.

Hardy said after he began to hear Fairclough's contradictory comments on the radio Wednesday morning, he attempted to get a hold of him by telephone. Unable to reach him, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Hardy left a message telling Fairclough he is no longer part of the NDP.

Hardy again stated he felt his and the party's trust had been betrayed.

'They are not martyrs,' said Hardy. 'They are not. They've been negotiating behind our backs.'

Hardy said he suspected the talks with the Liberal party had been going on for longer than either man had let on, and a deal may have already been cut to let them into the party.

'They are trying to paint themselves as the good guys,' said Hardy. 'But their actions brought about my decision.'

The NDP leader added the two were negotiating with the Liberals out of opportunism rather than their constituents best interests.

'We're leading in the polls. Why did they leave?' asked Hardy.

He said he wished McRobb and Fairclough 'the best', but is 'tired of talking about them.'

'I think I've responded enough to their needs,' he said. 'There are a lot of hurt people out there that are in real need of our attention.'

Mitchell said he has talked to McRobb briefly since his removal from the NDP, but has not yet been able to reach Fairclough.

The Liberal leader said he still understands both MLAs are seeking advice from their constituents prior to making a decision about their political futures.

'I have no decision to make until they make their decision,' said Mitchell.

He, however, said he has been speaking with Liberal party members in Whitehorse and the two MLAs' communities and has heard 'favourable reactions' about the idea of both men joining the party.

If either decided the Liberals better reflect their values and would like to join the party, it wouldn't take very long to permit them to sit in the caucus, said Mitchell.

If both McRobb and Fairclough join the Liberals during the upcoming spring sitting of the legislature, the party would become the official Opposition, with four seats.

Mitchell and Porter Creek South MLA Pat Duncan, a former premier, currently form the Liberal caucus.

The NDP now has three seats; the Yukon Party holds 10; and, Klondike MLA Peter Jenkins is sitting as an independent.

'There's obvious benefits (to becoming the official Opposition),' said Mitchell.

The party would then be able to ask the most questions in the legislature, have more control over the line of questioning and also more time on the floor, said Mitchell.

Leading into the territorial election's November deadline, the additional exposure for the new Liberal leader could work to the party's advantage. He won the leadership last June.

But Mitchell said the real benefit would be to have the strength and knowledge of two longtime MLAs on the Liberals' side. Both McRobb and Fairclough were first elected in 1996.

Fairclough has not returned repeated phone calls from the Star since the announcement he has been removed from the party.