Uproar in Canada’s parliament as PM Trudeau is accused of elbowing MP in chest and manhandling another

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologised “unreservedly” for making physical contact with a female opposition member of Parliament who said Trudeau elbowed her in the chest as he waded through a group of mostly opposition lawmakers.

Ruth Ellen Brosseau said she was elbowed in the chest and had to leave the House of Commons chamber Wednesday after feeling overwhelmed. Trudeau was also accused of manhandling a Conservative MP amid uproar in the House.

Watch: Canadian PM Trudeau “elbows” one MP, “manhandles” another

“I was elbowed in the chest by the prime minister and then I had to leave. It was very overwhelming,” Brosseau said. “I missed the vote because of this.”

Footage from the House of Commons television feed shows Liberal Trudeau wading into a clutch of lawmakers and pulling a Conservative lawmaker, party whip, Gord Brown, through the crowd in order to get the vote started.

As Trudeau turns around to pull Brown through, Brosseau can be seen recoiling with discomfort.

Trudeau, a boxer and former bar bouncer, later stood up in Parliament and said it wasn’t his intention to hurt anyone as he attempted to escort the lawmaker though a throng of opposition lawmakers in the chamber. Trudeau said he thought Brown was being impeded as he walked up the aisle of the chamber and wanted to help him.

“I took it upon myself to go and assist him forward, which was I now see unadvisable as a course of action,” said Trudeau, who characterised his actions as “unacceptable.”