Opposition Leader Ches Crosbie says the position of Marketing Director at the Rooms has to go to a competition in order to restore the public’s faith in the government hiring process.

That, after it was revealed that a previous qualified candidate hired for the position was paid $20,000 to make way for Carla Foote.

The information was revealed through an Access to Information Request made by the CBC.

Crosbie calls the revelation a squandering of tax-payer money, and an ethical breach. He says that means nobody in the public service is safe, they can be removed on a whim and then offered “hush money.”

VOCM News has subsequently learned that failed Liberal candidate Patricia Hynes-Coates has been hired into a temporary clerical position for a period of 13 weeks, until the position is filled through competition.

Crosbie says government has to restore the public’s confidence in the process, and the Rooms position must go to competition. He thinks there’s no other way to wipe the slate clean, even if Foote has an advantage having served in the position for some time.

Crosbie believes it’s unlikely that Mitchelmore will ever be removed because of the controversy.

It won’t happen according to Crosbie, who contends that Ball gave the directions. Crosbie believes a deal was struck for Mitchelmore to carry out the instructions, and will be kept in cabinet.