Premier Dwight Ball and Terra Nova MHA Colin Holloway say there is no investigation stemming from a complaint from the town council of Port Blandford — at least not yet.
In a letter dated April 5, received by the Premier’s Office on April 12, the Port Blandford town council requested an investigation into Holloway, citing a “potential breach of the code of conduct.”
The letter accuses Holloway of “accusing the town council of not being truthful” in matters related to potential clear-cutting of trees near the town. The town also accuses Holloway of providing false information on four occasions, by saying the town council had provided false information to its residents.
In the House of Assembly on Monday, Opposition Leader Paul Davis said an investigation was underway by Commissioner of Legislative Standards Bruce Chaulk — a statement adamantly denied by both Holloway and Ball.
“There is no investigation going on at this time. What Mr. Davis has done is actually breach the code of conduct himself by going out and making allegations at this point,” said Holloway, who grew emotional during his statement.
“This is very hurtful, I can tell you that. We stand in that House and talk about bullying and intimidation — this is bullying and intimidation at its finest.”
Holloway called on newly minted Progressive Conservative Leader Ches Crosbie to oust Davis from the PC caucus because of the allegations.
RELATED STORIES
- Dale Kirby ousted from N.L. Liberal caucus over harassment allegations
- N.L. politician Eddie Joyce to sit as independent while complaint is reviewed
- MHA Cathy Bennett calls for broad review of bullying and harassment in Newfoundland and Labrador politics
Crosbie says he will not dismiss Davis over the allegations.
“Mr. Holloway is the third Liberal member that we now have information about having a complaint against that person — his beef with Mr. Davis, as I understand it, is that Mr. Davis gave out information that would identify him as the person that was complained against. That’s a different situation than identifying the complainant,” Crosbie said.
“I don’t see the force of Mr. Holloway’s objection.”
Ball stood behind Holloway, but said there is a chance an investigation could be started into the complaint.
“I want to be very clear: there is no investigation, no review ongoing as Mr. Davis said by another member in the House of Assembly. He had mentioned there was a third complainant — simply not true. These were misleading statements by the leader of the Opposition, Paul Davis,” Ball said.
“That letter went to the commissioner of legislative standards. The commissioner of legislative standards would make a review based on, is this in the public interest. So far, he as not made that determination.”
In May 2017, Holloway was reprimanded by the commissioner for legislative standards for an interaction between himself and St. Brenden’s Mayor Veronica Broomfield.
Holloway was penalized for stating “you didn’t vote for me,” during a discussion with Broomfield.
Twitter: DavidMaherNL
