In his final days in office, former premier Danny Williams recommended that his communications chief get an important government appointment.
But Premier Kathy Dunderdale says he “didn’t have a role” in Elizabeth Matthews’ subsequent appointment to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB).
“There is no involvement of Danny Williams in this appointment,” Dunderdale said Tuesday. “Premier Williams did say to me that in my considerations, would I consider Elizabeth Matthews for a position on the CNLOPB, and I said that I would and I did, but the decision was mine.”
In late 2010, shortly after Williams resigned as premier, Matthews was quietly recommended for the job of CNLOPB vice-chairwoman, a job which pays upwards of $165,000.
After the appointment was publicized, Matthews withdrew her name, saying she didn’t want to deal with opposition allegations that it was a patronage appointment.
Through the whole process, Dunderdale and Natural Resources Minister Shawn Skinner insisted Williams was not involved in Matthews’ appointment.
But Monday, a letter came to light by way of a CBC access to information request, revealing that Williams wrote a letter to Matthews the day before he left office.
“It is with great pleasure that I offer you the position of full-time vice-chairperson of the CNLOPB,” the letter said.
The letter is not on government stationary and is unsigned, but the name at the bottom is “Danny Williams, Premier.”
Dunderdale said she was unaware the letter had ever been written until recently, when the access to information request was filed.
Contacted by The Telegram Tuesday, Williams said he felt it was important to have on record his support of Matthews.
He also repeated a comment he made to other media that Matthews was the most competent person he ever met while in public life.
“She’s super competent, she’s intelligent, she’s very strategically capable, and of all the people I met in 10 years of public life, in my opinion she was the most competent,” he said. “She had extreme competence in a lot of areas and ability and so does Premier Dunderdale and a lot of other people, but from a well-rounded perspective and competence and dedication, you know, and passion for her job, I had to call ‘em as I see ‘em.”
Dunderdale declined to respond to the remark, which many commentators have interpreted as a dig at her personally.
“I’ve got more important things to talk about,” she said. “I’ve had people try to define me all my life. I reject it categorically. I am who I am.”
All the developments since Monday have served to reignite talk of a “rift” between Dunderdale and Williams.
“It depends on what a rift means. I would say there’s disagreements over issues, but that’s normal,” Williams said. “I’m sure people didn’t agree with everything I did.
“We’re all allowed to have an opinion. Just because I’m a former premier doesn’t mean that I can’t have an opinion on something.”
Williams said he remains a loyal member of the PC party, and if he’s asked, he’ll campaign in the Oct. 11 provincial election.
Opposition Leader Kevin Aylward said that since Matthews withdrew her appointment to the board months ago, all of this is a bit of a non-issue.
However, he said the way the government handled it raises concerns.
“Ms. Matthews has withdrawn. I think this is more about the process the Dunderdale government has been following, but it’s also a symptom of other matters that are going on in this province right now,” Aylward said. “Are we hearing the truth on Muskrat Falls and everything else?”
jmcleod@thetelegram.com
Twitter: TelegramJames
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Geetting the facts straight seems to be evading Premier Dunderdale and Shawn Skinner as well. Leads to more questions being asked without getting consistent answers.