Premier Andrew Furey says he doesn’t know if Brendan Paddick quit a secret Churchill River Energy Analysis Team because of their close ties.

Furey said yesterday that Paddick indicated he was “busy and moving on,” albeit just five weeks after being named to the team.

There had been increasing criticism of Paddick’s appointment since he’s also a partner in a hydrogen project on the west coast.

Furey makes no bones about their close ties, and says if anything people should be thanking the man.

He says they’re not just good friends, but best friends, adding they have “ethical walls” set up to ensure there’s no conflict with Paddick’s business interests. Furey says the province also owes Paddick a debt of gratitude for hammering out the $5.2-billion rate mitigation deal.

News that the team even exists was uncovered by the online news outlet allNewfoundlandLabrador.

At the time, Furey said he didn’t see a conflict, but if there was one, he believed Paddick could manage it appropriately.