I guess that too much of a stretch given the available information but it was motivated by track record of the Liberals who have never let ethics get in the way of being re-elected. We will have to wait and see what the allegations are but the timing is way to convenient.
Seems like you're stepping back from the 'set up' accusation, which I appreciate - frankly. I also concur that this Liberal government is likely the most cynical we have had in memory.
My 'Ontario politics insider' guy tells me that the Liberals AND the PCs had these stories ready to go, and there were rumours about Brown for a long time. He thinks it was PC party people who did it, maybe sensing that there's another leader ready to win. His logic is that if the Liberals were behind this, they would have done it with a month to go before the vote.
I believe this is why his staff resigned.
They are lucky. If they get a likeable replacement, they could win. They SHOULD win. This may in fact promote a new 'just in time' model to leadership campaigns.