Williams criticized on Hickey; story goes national

Canadian Press is running this story which includes criticism of Premier Danny Williams' decision to keep John Hickey in cabinet despite word today that the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has launched a criminal investigation into allegations Hickey and another Progressive Conservative member of the House of Assembly double-billed the legislature for expenses.

The CP is running across the country.

Williams' decision flouts centuries of parliamentary tradition designed to preserve the integrity of government while avoiding tainting or appearing to taint the police investigation. The Canadian press story includes several recent examples of the principle followed by Canadian governments, until now in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In a related comment, Williams [right] this weekend called the speaker of the legislature the head of a division or department of government. Williams' faulty constitutional knowledge was displayed on NTV's Issues and Answers, a 30 minute interview show airing Sundays.