Iqaluit (Sep 18/06) - A claim by the Justice Department that some of Ed Horne's alleged victims had consensual sex with the convicted sex offender has been filed with the Court of Justice.

That statement has drawn the wrath of one MLA and also from the lawyer for the alleged victims.

The statement of defence filed by the Government of Nunavut and the Government of the Northwest Territories in the civil suit - brought by alleged victims of Ed Horne - contained this list of where and when Horne worked in Nunavut. 09/08/71 to 07/08/72 Teacher Belcher Islands 04/08/75 to 08/06/77 Teacher Sanikiluaq 24/08/77 to 30/06/78 Community Adult Educator Sanikiluaq 14/08/78 to 27/06/80 Teacher Cape Dorset 05/08/80 to 01/06/81 Principal Grise Fiord 17/08/81 to 13/12/81 Program Specialist Inuktitut Iqaluit 14/12/81 to 25/06/82 Teacher Consultant Iqaluit 16/08/82 to 10/06/83 Teacher Cape Dorset 01/09/83 to 21/06/84 Principal Kimmirut 28/08/84 to 20/06/85 Principal Kimmirut 03/09/85 to 27/06/86 Principal Iqaluit - Source: Department of Justice statement of Defence

"The defendants say that if there was sexual contact between the plaintiffs and Edward Horne, some of the plaintiffs who were over the statutory age of 14 consented to the sexual contact," is the wording of the statement of defence filed by Justice Department lawyer Doug Garson on Sept. 8.

Garson told Nunavut News/North he wouldn't comment further as the case is now before the courts.

Geoffrey Budden, lawyer for 72 men and one woman who claim that Horne sexually abused them during his years as a teacher in Nunavut, was astonished by the government's sweeping denials. "I've done work with religious orders who aggressively defend themselves, and I've never seen anything like this cross my desk before," he said.

The two territorial governments settled with a group of 82 men and three estates in 2002, all claiming they were abused by Horne.

That settlement cost $21.5 million.

In 2000, Horne was sentenced to five years in prison for 20 counts of sexual assault.

Sanikiluaq MLA Peter Kattuk wants to know why the government is fighting so hard this time around.

"It's not right. They already agreed to the first group (of litigants), but now they are defending themselves, and I don't know the reason why since they have already given the first group something," said Kattuk.

"As the MLA representing the constituents that were abused by that man, I think as MLAs we have to work together. These people need help, and this community needs help," said Kattuk.

The statement of defence denies that Horne was under the control of the government at the time of the assaults. It also asserts that the residences where the assaults are alleged to have occurred - since they were rented by Horne - were not under government control.

"The plaintiffs claim ought to be dismissed with costs," is the final statement in the statement of defence.

Horne is still facing 15 additional criminal charges for other alleged sexual assaults. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 5 in Iqaluit.