Just two days before the second and last Ontario PC party leadership debate and four days before online membership voting begins, Patrick Brown has stepped down.

Brown has posted on his Twitter account, the letter he sent the chief electoral officer, the party president and head of the party’s leadership committee.

He lists three reasons for the decision to step aside.

The first being to focus on holding CTV accountable for its reporting of the sexual misconduct allegations.

He goes on to say that it’s clear his participation in the race has become a distraction.

Brown adds he’s calling on the remaining candidates – listing them as Christine Elliot, Doug Ford, Caroline Mulroney and Tanya Granic Allen -to put thoughtful, considered, affordable, pragmatic public policy first.

He adds the four of them are in an ideal position to do this because the party has so much to offer.     

Interim Leader Vic Fedeli’s put out a brief statement saying Brown’s made the right decision and is right to focus on clearing his name.

Meanwhile, Ontario’s integrity commissioner has announced he’s launching an investigation into Brown’s conduct.

Tory MPP Randy Hillier made the request, asking there be a probe into Brown’s financial disclosures and travel, alleging he violated legislation governing politicians’ conduct.

Brown’s denied the allegations, calling them ”entirely fictional.”

On another matter, police are investigating allegations of fraud and forgery in connection with the PC nomination in the riding of Hamilton-West-Ancaster-Dundas in June 2017, but authorities have not said who’s the subject of their investigation.

Brown, then party leader, reportedly told top party officials to ensure he get the result he was looking for.