An Ontario legislator who was warned to get vaccinated against COVID-19 has been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus after telling reporters he wouldn’t take the shot.

In a statement Thursday, Premier Doug Ford said Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nichols “failed to provide a legitimate reason for exemption from vaccination.

“As a consequence, he is no longer a sitting member of the PC caucus and will not be permitted to seek re-election as a PC candidate,” the statement said.

Nicholls was one of two Tory legislators facing a Thursday evening deadline to show proof of vaccination or a medical exemption.

Ford said Scarborough Centre MPP Christina Mitas will