Yellowknife (May 31/04) - Premier Joe Handley has stripped Henry Zoe of his cabinet portfolios after discovering that the North Slave MLA delivered more than just offensive comments about Newfoundlanders during a night on the town.

Henry Zoe: Cabinet post on the line - NNSL file photo

"It goes beyond comments made. You can take from that, that it goes to actions. But I don't want to say any more than that," Handley said Friday outside the legislative assembly.

Handley's remarks did little to clear up exactly what it was that Zoe said or did during the North of 60 Idol competition held at the Yellowknife Legion on May 15.

Zoe apologized Thursday for his part "in a verbal altercation with a number of members of the Legion."

But some MLAs wanted Handley to take stronger action against the North Slave MLA.

The Premier said he decided to remove Zoe's MACA and Public Utilities Board portfolios after following up on information given to him Thursday evening.

Handley then asked Zoe to voluntarily resign from his cabinet post Friday morning. Zoe refused, saying he would prefer to take time off.

The MLAs will decide whether Zoe remains in cabinet with a vote of confidence scheduled for today.

Jane Groenewegen, MLA for Hay River South and Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee were among those urging Handley to take a tougher stance.

Lee said she wants Zoe to prove he's taking steps to ensure incidents like the Legion altercation won't be repeated.

"I think he's still in denial about any problems he might have, or even what happened," Lee said. "I'm not convinced that Mr. Zoe is taking full responsibility."

Zoe did not attend Friday's legislative session.

Groenewegen believes that MLAs will vote to remove Zoe from cabinet.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins said he plans to bring forward a motion in the legislative assembly urging they bring back the member's code of conduct and its zero tolerance for disorderly behaviour.

"Love us or hate us, we have to ensure confidence by our actions," Hawkins said.

Former North Slave MLA Leon Lafferty said it will be hard for Zoe to regain the support of his constituents.

"He might have to show us that he can go for treatment, and then quit drinking," Lafferty said.