SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Ted Hughes, a former Northwest Territories conflict of interest commissioner, has been appointed as the sole adjudicator to investigate whether Premier Floyd Roland's affair breached legislative assembly rules and procedures.

"We recommended the name of Ted Hughes to the commissioner to handle that investigation," said Speaker Paul Delorey, chair of the board of management, which chose Hughes over three other candidates on Wednesday morning.

Hughes' recommendation must be made official by the Commissioner of the NWT, Tony Whitford, however Delorey did not think that would be a problem.

A complaint was filed by six regular MLAs in February, alleging Roland's secret, intimate relationship with a legislative assembly clerk violated their confidentiality, as the clerk sat in on committee meetings attended by regular MLAs only. The complaint also alleges Roland breached the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act for his failure to arrange his private affairs in a manner that upholds the integrity of his role as premier.

On May 25, Gerald Gerrand, the NWT's conflict of interest commissioner, ruled there were "reasonable grounds to believe that Premier Roland failed to perform his duties of office and arrange his private affairs in the summer and fall months of 2008, as to maintain the public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of Premier Roland."

Gerrand referred the matter to a sole adjudicator. Delorey said he is confident Hughes will be thorough in his investigation.

"Indications are he will be able to deal with the issue fairly quickly," said Delorey, adding Hughes may be able to come North from his home in Victoria, B.C. in the next couple weeks to begin the process. Delorey said doesn't know how long it will take Hughes to complete his investigation, or how Hughes will decide to proceed with it.

"He'll have to determine whether it will be a public inquiry," said Delorey.

Hughes - as sole adjudicator - will either dismiss the complaint or make recommendations to the legislative assembly on what should be done to Roland, if he does find there was a breach. MLAs will then vote to adopt or drop the sanctions.

"We will deal strictly with what his recommendations are," said Delorey, if Hughes finds against Roland.

Hughes could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.