Interim Leader of the Official Opposition Lorne Doerkson announced Monday that five British Columbia Members of the Legislative Assembly have been officially readmitted into the Conservative Party of British Columbia caucus.

In a formal statement released in Victoria, Doerkson confirmed he has notified the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of B.C. of the readmissions, effective immediately.

The reinstated caucus members are Trevor Halford, Linda Hepner, Scott McInnis, Claire Rattée, and John Rustad.

The announcement marks a significant step toward unifying the party structure in the B.C. legislature following a period of caucus divisions and high-profile resignations.

Doerkson took over as interim leader following the recent resignation of former party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. The readmission of former leader Rustad and his colleagues comes as the Conservatives seek to solidify their position as the official opposition ahead of a potential fall election call by the governing NDP.