The provincial government is weighing in on the controversy surrounding Indigenous claims made by MUN President Vianne Timmons.

Timmons announced on Monday that she would be taking a six-week paid absence from her position while an Indigenous roundtable investigates the president’s claims of Mi’kmaq ancestry.

Premier Andrew Furey says he looks forward to the findings from the investigation.

He says the investigation was properly governed by Memorial’s Board of Regents and he commends them for their immediate and appropriate action.

Opposition Leader David Brazil says there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the university in the last year and there must be accountability.

He says they do not want to tarnish MUN’s reputation for being a welcoming school community on the national level. Brazil hopes the decision made will be one that is in the best interests of Memorial University.