ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Newfoundland and Labrador's top civil servant resigned because his transition from his private law practice was taking too long, the premier said Monday.
Premier Dwight Ball announced Bern Coffey's resignation yesterday amid controversy over his continuing to represent clients, including a former Nalcor employee who is suing the Crown corporation for wrongful dismissal.
Ball said Monday the departure was Coffey's decision: "He resigned voluntarily."
It had raised eyebrows when Coffey was named to the traditionally non-partisan position of clerk last September. He has links to the provincial Liberals and briefly pursued the leadership of the party.
Ball continued to defend Coffey's dual role Monday, saying he had put up safeguards to avoid conflict of interest as he made the transition to public life.
"There were conflict walls that were established," Ball told reporters.
Ball said he understood up until last week that Coffey would wrap up two ongoing cases by June 30 -- one involving Nalcor, the other Western Health, a provincial health authority.
That was a reasonable delay, Ball said, but it became clear last week that deadline would not be met.
"We just got to a point where that transition period was going to take longer than we anticipated."
Ball added he only learned of the Nalcor case through media reports, but said Coffey never intended to represent the client, and filed it only to preserve the client's rights to possibly pursue the case in future.
Coffey's salary was just over $180,000 a year, and he will receive about $2,000 in owed compensation, Ball said.
Opposition Leader Paul Davis said he was not satisfied with the premier's explanation.
"It's beyond bizarre. It's incredible that this should be allowed to happen," he said, noting it only came to light in the media.
"This is a case of them getting caught."
Ball refused to rule out an appointment with partisan ties when a new clerk is named.
"We'll look for the best person," he said.
