Ex-Canadian Official Faces Sex Charges

Nova Scotia’s former premier, who also served as a federal Cabinet minister, was charged Wednesday with rape, attempted rape and illegal detention.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the charges against Gerry Regan followed a 17-month investigation into alleged sexual misconduct dating as far back as 1956.

Regan, 67, professed his innocence Wednesday.

“My reaction is one of anger,” he said after his arraignment, which also was attended by his wife and two of his daughters. “I am not guilty of these charges.”

Provincial court Judge Ross Archibald denied a government request that Regan surrender his passport and be forced to remain in Nova Scotia, one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces. He also placed a temporary ban on publication of the names of the 11 alleged victims - all female - and set another court date for May 30.

Regan was Liberal Party premier from 1970 to 1978 in Nova Scotia. As a member of Parliament, he held several Cabinet portfolios between 1980 and 1984 under prime ministers Pierre Trudeau and John Turner.