Manitoba NDP leader accuses PCs of exploiting 'tense interaction' as an opportunity to attack his character

Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew admits his conduct wasn't perfect during a run-in with cabinet minister Obby Khan on Thursday, but alleges the events that followed were twisted by the Progressive Conservatives for political gain.

Kinew has denied cursing and shoving Khan at a public event at the legislature, saying instead there was only a "tense verbal exchange" and it wasn't the time and place for it. 

The NDP leader appeared on CBC Manitoba's Up to Speed on Friday, where he alleged the Tories' reaction is politically motivated. 

"Mr. Khan, I take him at face value that he's upset that we had a tense interaction and I won't speak for him, obviously he can describe his emotional reaction to that," Kinew told host Faith Fundal.

"But I'm sure that once he shared that with the PC team, then the political staff jumps in and then it becomes an opportunity to take shots at me."

WATCH | Full interview with NDP Leader Wab Kinew denying Obby Khan's accusations:

Kinew said he expected to be the government's target in the lead-up to a scheduled October vote.

"I think we all know that the PCs are not going to be able to run an election campaign on health care, or on their failures in government," he said.

In response, a spokesperson for the Tories said they "wholeheartedly reject the assertion" they played up the exchange.

"Minister Khan spoke truthfully and sincerely about the incident, while Mr. Kinew, who has a record of insincere apologies and being less than honest, admitted his conduct was poor and his exchange was tense," the party said in a statement.

"This is just another example in a series of inappropriate behaviours that highlight character deficiencies unbecoming of an elected official."

Khan, the minister for sport, culture and heritage, declined CBC's interview request Friday, saying, through a spokesperson, he's said his piece and he's "moving on."

He told reporters at an unrelated media event on Friday that his account of the events is true and he'd like a "heartfelt apology" from Kinew.

Thursday's confrontation happened in the rotunda of the legislature, where the NDP hosted a gathering to mark Manitoba's first Turban Day. A party banner was used as a backdrop behind the speakers.