Police were called to remove mayoral candidate Jane Scharf from a municipal election debate last night.

Scharf was refusing to leave the stage at the Bronson Centre where Jim Watson, Clive Doucet, Mike Maguire, and Charlie Taylor participated in the debate.

Larry O'Brien and Andy Haydon had declined to appear at the event so the next two most popular candidates for mayor were invited. Scharf had not been invited.

An Ottawa police officer approached Scharf and she left quietly. No charges were laid. The event was delayed by half an hour.

The next mayor's debate takes place on Sunday at the main Ottawa Library branch at 120 Metcalf St.