The opposition is crying foul after news that the Premier’s Office has taken on a special adviser with ties to the PCs at what it sees as an enormous cost.

ATIPP documents acquired by VOCM News show that Premier Tony Wakeham has hired Dr. Des Whelan, a Clarenville-based physician, as an advisor – and is being paid through MCP.

Conception Bay East-Bell Island MHA Fred Hutton calls it “outrageous” that Dr. Whelan is being compensated through MCP at an annual salary of just over $275,000.

The top position in the Premier’s Office was, until now, $180,000 – the chief of staff.

“I just can’t believe they made this decision.. I worked in the Premier’s Office and you don’t have to go through the Independent Appointments Commission, but he (Premier Wakeham) figured out, somehow, to have the money come from MCP to have a person advise him politically,” said Hutton.

Hutton told VOCM Open Line host Brian Callahan that he could not recall any situation in the province where a political adviser to the premier was paid through MCP.

“Everybody who works in that office is hired and fired by the premier. The money for everyone in that office comes from the amount allocated to run it, but this salary is being paid by MCP – money that’s meant for health care for you and me,” says Hutton.

VOCM News has reached out to the Premier’s Office for comment.