Members of the House of Assembly have narrowly approved a reprimand for the Cabinet Minister found responsible for violating the Code of Conduct in a controversial hiring at the Rooms.

That was Christopher Mitchelmore apologizing to the House last night for ordering the hiring of former Liberal staffer Carla Foote.

Independent MHA Eddie Joyce made the difference on an earlier vote which would have seen Mitchelmore lose a year of his ministerial salary, about $50,000. Joyce, who was kicked out of the Liberal Party and caucus for what some view as a lesser offence, voted against that motion making it 20 against and 19 for.

Minister Christopher Mitchelmore will be suspended without pay for two weeks when the House of Assembly reconvenes in the new year. As well, he must deliver a written apology to the Board of Directors at the Rooms, and meet with the Commissioner for Legislative Standards, Bruce Chaulk.

Four days of debate culminated in a series of amendments to an initial motion presented by Opposition House Leader David Brazil. A financial penalty was considered at one point, but the motion was amended to remove the monetary figure.

Shortly before 9:30, the final vote was held with a slim margin of 21 to 18, to approve the prescribed reprimand.

Mitchelmore voted against the final motion. He then rose to offer an apology to the House of Assembly, as well as the people of this province.

The House has adjourned until the new year, when it will reconvene on February 24. As per his suspension, Mitchelmore will not be permitted to return until mid-March.