Iqaluit (May 10/04) - The premier's office is refusing comment after the resignation of the deputy justice minister.

In a May 6 press release, Premier Paul Okalik, who's also justice minister, said he had accepted Nora Sanders' resignation over the handling of information concerning an RCMP investigation of Kevin O'Brien, former Speaker of the House and Arviat MLA.

Bill Clay, assistant to Okalik, said neither he nor the premier would comment further.

"The premier has accepted the resignation and it has now become a personnel matter," he said.

Sanders also isn't talking.

"I won't comment on the details of my resignation. All I will say is that it's been a wonderful experience working for the Government of Nunavut," she said.

Sanders has been with the department of justice since 1998. She started as deputy minister with the Interim Commissioner of Nunavut.

MLA fined for alcohol possession

In July 2003, during his term as Speaker of the House, O'Brien was fined $215 for possession of liquor in Arviat, a prohibited community. The charge was laid under a territorial regulation and is not a criminal offence.

While the incident happened last year, Okalik and other MLAs didn't hear about the conviction until April.

O'Brien was defeated in the second territorial election in February.

Anthony Saez, assistant deputy minister of justice, will replace Sanders and serve as the acting deputy minister.