SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The conflict of interest inquiry into Premier Floyd Roland's affair with a legislative assembly clerk will likely be held in public now that two regular MLAs - both complainants - have dropped their request for a closed door proceeding.

Glenn Tait, legal counsel for sole adjudicator Ted Hughes, forwarded a letter to Yellowknifer Wednesday, advising that Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay and Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro have withdrawn their request for a private inquiry. That effectively cancels the need for a hearing Sept. 7 for media to make arguments on whether the inquiry should be open or closed.

Tait couldn't be reached for comment but in his Aug. 12 letter he writes he will be advising Hughes to immediately hear evidence for the inquiry on the Sept. 7 date.

Ramsay, with the backing of Bisaro, made a plea for privacy during a preliminary hearing held July 16. The MLA, one of Roland's most vocal critics, argued a public inquiry would be overly sensational, and would upset the premier's family.

"It could turn into quite a soap opera, and I don't know what anyone would gain from that," Ramsay said at the hearing.

Ramsay couldn't be reached for comment this week, but Bisaro said they dropped their request after realizing Roland's lawyer didn't object to a public inquiry.

"At the hearing, after Dave had made his statement and I said, 'yes I give my support,' Roland's counsel said, 'well, we were going to go forward with a public inquiry, and go in-camera later.'

"I said, 'whoa, oh my.' I was really surprised, but then there was no way to pull (the privacy request) back because Dave and I hadn't discussed it."

Bisaro said other information had also come to light to influence their idea that a closed inquiry is no longer necessary, although she wouldn't say what it is yet.

The MLA said though she has previously called on Roland to resign, she now feels it would be better he stay on as premier and finish his term, although she would vote against him if Hughes recommends MLAs terminate him following the inquiry.

"At this point, for us to actively pursue his dismissal, it's not the time to do it," said Bisaro. "We've got work that needs to be done."

Six MLAs, Bisaro, Ramsay, Bob Bromley, Glen Abernethy, David Krutko, and Jane Groenewegen, filed a complaint with conflict of interest commissioner Gerald Gerrand after the affair was revealed last December. They accuse the premier's girlfriend, Patricia Russell, of passing along secrets aired during committee meetings closed to cabinet ministers, where Russell was the clerk.

Gerrand subsequently appointed Hughes to lead the inquiry.

Abernethy said he doesn't care one way or another whether the inquiry is held publicly or in private because he is confident the information disclosed during the proceedings will eventually be made public.

"I don't care," said Abernethy. "What I understood, regardless of whether interviews are held behind closed doors or not, ultimately, I was under the impression that everything will go public."

In any event, he still wants Roland to resign.

"I'm not out to get Floyd," said Abernethy. "I believe there was a conflict."