UCP leader Kenney does not stop to ask questions of a former worker

United Alberta Conservative leader Jason Kenney has reportedly continued to answer questions about a former call center executive during his party leadership campaign, allegedly linked to an online store selling memories of white supremacy.

Kenney pbaded in front of reporters who were waiting to interrogate him Thursday by going to the Legislative Chamber.

He would only say that Adam Strashok is absent and reiterated that future party members would be controlled to avoid those related to hate speech.

"He's no longer a member of the unified Conservative party," Kenney said.

Kenney declined to comment further and did not otherwise be available to answer questions during the first week of the legislature's fall session.

Earlier this week, Kenney issued a statement in which he claimed to have ordered the party's Strashok deportation. He did not know anything about Strashok's past when he had worked on his campaign in 2017.

Strashok did not comment on the reports.

This is the latest in a series of supporters of the Unified Conservative Party who have expressed or badociated people with hateful and intolerant views.

Last month, three candidates for nomination in a West Edmonton electoral district were photographed with the group of Odin's anti-immigrant soldiers, although two of the candidates had then stated that they were not aware of the group's notoriety when they posed for photos.

Also during the summer, Sandra Kim was allowed to run for the nomination of Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin despite the 2015 homophobic comments on social media. She later apologized and said that these remarks do not represent her current views.

Cindy Ross, once named for Calgary Fish Creek, apologized last month for the online comments she had made several years ago about opening a mosque in Fort McMurray .

Brian Jean, Kenney's rival for the United Conservative leadership bid, also insisted on Twitter to urge the party to "Stop playing with monsters!"

Kenney commented on Thursday by climbing the steps of the legislature, moments before asking questions at home.

Traditionally, opposition leaders are available to answer questions every day during the legislature. Kenney did it in the early weeks of the spring session, but this trend has since faded.

Instead, the unified Conservative House leader, Jason Nixon, intervened to answer questions on behalf of the caucus and the party.

Nixon said that Kenney was very busy.

"Jason makes himself available as much as possible. His schedule is extremely tight this week. It's the first week of the session, "said Nixon.

"Jason Kenney is making himself available for the media, as I can say, an extraordinary amount, certainly more than the premier of my experience."