N.L. child advocate fired

Newfoundland and Labrador's child and youth advocate was fired Monday.

The legislature passed a motion to dismiss Darlene Neville after a two-day debate. Five opposition members voted against the motion.

The government claimed that Neville created a poisoned work environment in the child advocate's office, which breached confidentiality and that she showed poor judgment.

Government members said Neville's dismissal was justified.

Neville failed to deal with problems in her office, said Treasury Board President Tom Marshall.

"She simply reacted by blaming everyone else," he said. "She refused, being the leader in that office, she refused to address the problem by seeking help outside and in fact when help was offered to her it was always rejected."

After the motion was passed, the legislature closed for 2009.