Mitchelmore 'unequivocally' apologizes to House and province, suspended 2 weeks without pay

Newfoundland and Labrador's House of Assembly voted late Thursdayto suspend Liberal cabinet minister Christopher Mitchelmore for two weeks without pay,ending a week of drama over how a well-connected Liberal landed in an executive position at The Rooms.

Mitchelmore who is taking the blame for how former government aide Carla Foote was hired without competition in a rearranged job at the provincial art gallery, museum and archives must also write an apology to the house, write an apology to The Rooms board of directors, and meet with the Commissioner for Legislative Standards to review the Code of Conduct for members of the House of Assembly.

Mitchelmore stood in the legislature and spoke for only the second time this week, just after 9 p.m.during an unusualevening sitting. His apology came minutes after the house voted 21-18 in favour of the recommended penalty.

"As the member forSt. Barbe-L'Anse aux Meadows, Iunequivocally apologize to the House of Assembly and to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Thank you," Mitchelmore said.

Members of the House applauded after the apology, and Mitchelmorequickly leftbefore reporters could speak to him.

Earlier Thursday, Mitchelmorestood in response to a questionin the House of Assembly and spoke about the report in his name for the first time albeit very briefly.

On Thursday evening the Progressive Conservativesoutlined what they thoughtMitchelmore'sreprimand should be, which included the penalties that passed through the house.

A PC suggestion that Mitchelmore effectively pay back one year's salary was voted downin a sub-amendment tabled by Liberal cabinet minister Gerry Byrne. The vote passed 20-19 to remove that order from Mitchelmore's punishment.

Premier's involvement at heart of report

Foote, who formerly worked as as the associate secretary to cabinet in Executive Council, was appointeddirectly into a senior marketing position in 2018 at The Rooms, at a salary of$132,000. The job she filled, though, had had a salary of$105,000. Foote had earned the higher figure at her job working with Premier Dwight Ball and the Liberal cabinet. Ball has consistently said he had no role in the appointment.

A report released earlier this week, however, made clear that ousted Rooms CEO Dean Brinton believed Ball directly approved the move. The Rooms board had believed Ball had ordered the transfer.

Mitchelmore's apology was not a surprise he hadstated on Monday that he would do so but it ensured that he was, before the house, solely responsible for the move.

"The premier did not direct me in this matter," he said Thursday afternoon in question period, giving a nine-word response to PC Leader Ches Crosbie.

What's called the MitchelmoreReport wasfront and centre in the House of Assembly,marking the fourth day thatthe opposition parties have hammered Ball and his government over Foote's hiring.

The report was written bythe Office of the Citizens' Representative and forwarded to Bruce Chaulk, the commissioner for legislative standards, whorecommendeda reprimand for Mitchelmore.

It was ruled he "grossly mismanaged" his obligations with respect to the code of conduct and use of public money.

Mitchelmoresat in the House all week, but hadnot spoken. He refusedto speak to reporters, and didn't respond to numerous questions.

Secret deal: Crosbie

Meanwhile, Crosbiethinks a deal was made in whichMitchelmoreagreed to remain quietto retainhis cabinet job.

Crosbie also said Ball lied when he saidnobody from his office wasinvolved in orderingthe move of Foote to The Rooms.

"It's not just me. It's 80 per cent of the population aren't accepting the premier's answer on that. They're thinking his pants are on fire," Crosbie said.

"It was either the premier, or someone acting for the premier, purporting to act under his authority, who gave Mitchelmore these directions. That is the answer."

'Loyal soldier,' saysBall

Ball continued to defend Mitchelmore on Thursday, after days of doing the same during question period for most of the week.

Ball deflected questions by both Crosbie and NDP Leader Allison Coffin by saying that Mitchelmore is a hard worker.

The premier called Mitchelmore a "loyal soldier," on Thursday,adding that the ministershould remain in cabinet.

PCs question morals of Liberals

In question period, Crosbie put cabinet ministers to the test over whether theyfollowed codes of conduct atformer professions in their respective professions.

John Haggie a doctor was asked first how he could have a set of professional morals in his private life, but stand by Mitchelmore in public life.

Andrew Parsons a lawyer was asked next.

"I was waiting for the leader of the Opposition to have a crack at me," he quipped, before saying he wouldn't be lectured on morals and ethics by Crosbie.

Parsons said he took an oath to serve the people of the province, and stood by his obligations.

"I'll continue to do so and to serve at the discretion of the premier," he said.

Tory members also asked the same question of Brian Warr, a former police officer, and Sherry Gambin-Walsh, a former nurse.

The House closedfor the fall session Thursday. It will reopen in March.

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