The former speaker of the Ontario legislature says he will repay the government for all of his legal costs involved in the settlement of a sexual harassment case.

Al McLean says friends and supporters have come forward to help him cover his legal costs. They amount to about $140,000.

McLean's troubles started when the Ontario government settled a wrongful dismissal case filed by a former employee. The woman said McLean tried four times to coerce her to have sex with him, then fired her when she turned him down.

In a highly controversial decision, the government agreed to compensate all sides in the case, $250,000 for the staff member and $140,000 for McLean's legal costs.

McLean also announced Tuesday he will not run again in the next election.

He says the continuous media spotlight on him and his family has been "hell" and he wants to move on with his life.