Williams lashes out at N.L. Speaker over audit handling

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams has lashed out at one of his own, with strong criticism about Speaker Harvey Hodder has handled an ongoing audit of legislative spending.

Williams said Monday that Hodder was informed before Christmas that Auditor General John Noseworthy was investigating the double-billing of constituency allowances, including that of a cabinet member.

"Here I had a situation where I had a person within government, who knew prior to Christmas, that in fact one of my ministers was named, and 10 days later I get told?" Williams said to reporters Monday.

"Now, from my perspective, that's not satisfactory."

The premier says he didn't hear from Harvey Hodder until early in the New Year.

"The reason that was given to me is that he didn't want to ruin my Christmas. That's what I was told."

Williams announced last Thursday that John Hickey, the provincial transportation and works minister, was stepping aside while Noseworthy continued his investigation.

But on Monday, Williams reinstated Hickey, and said he is confident that the double-billings were not the result of malice but an accounting error.

Hodder told CBC News that he learned that Hickey was under investigation in December. He said he could not say anything to the premier until the auditor general was sure he would be filing a final report on the MHAs.

"I think we have to be very careful that we do not, do not take away members' rights and privileges," Hodder said.

"Certainly I don't see my role to cause undue stress in members' lives."

Kevin Parsons, house leader with the Liberal Opposition, said Williams erred by allowing Hickey back into cabinet so soon.

Issue referred to Department of Justice

The Justice Department is reviewing Noseworthy's findings, which show that Hickey's constituency allowance was double-billed for about $3,770. Hickey, who repaid the money last Thursday, said clerical errors were at fault.

Williams on Monday blasted poor bookkeeping and controls at the legislature.

Parsons, though, said it is not acceptable for Williams to reappoint Hickey while an investigation is still underway. He said it is not the premier's job to determine guilt or innocence of his cabinet members.

"That's not an acceptable process," Parsons told CBC News on Tuesday.

Williams, meanwhile, said he is frustrated by some of the existing rules regarding governance of the legislature, including the bipartisan Internal Economy Commission, which oversees house business.

"I'm in this sacred world where I'm not allowed to talk about the Speaker, I'm not allowed to speak about the IEC. That's all the untouchable group that we can't say anything about," Williams said.

"All I'm saying as premier of this province, one of my ministers was being involved in some allegation and it took 10 days for me to find out. I've got a big problem with that, let me tell you."

Hodder said there is no rule requiring the Speaker to relay such information immediately to the premier. Hodder said he will raise the issue with the IEC on Tuesday to see if that should change.