The Auditor-General may initiate a probe into a contract between the Government and the husband of the Attorney-General.

Heather Thomas said that she would assess if the contract came within her mandate before deciding on whether to carry out an audit.

Myron Simmons, the husband of Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Kathy Lynn Simmons, was employed as a senior counsel in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, before resigning at the end of March, 2023.

He was immediately hired as a legal consultant at the department on a monthly salary of $13,721. That contract was for three months and was signed to give time for the Attorney-General’s Chambers to hire a replacement for Mr Simmons.

One month later, the Attorney-General’s Chambers hired Mr Simmons on a new contract after he set up his own law firm, Onyx Law. Under the new agreement, Onyx Law was paid $20,833 a month.

Onyx Law was still working as a consultant for the Attorney-General’s Chambers in January when details of the contract were made public.

The Opposition has raised questions about the “secret contract”, but Ms Simmons has so far not commented publicly.

The Royal Gazette has seen a copy of the retainer agreement between Onyx and the Attorney-General’s Chambers, and also several invoices that were submitted by Mr Simmons and/or Onyx.

Last night, Ms Thomas said that she “may initiate an audit because of information received”.

She said: “As the Auditor-General, I am significantly concerned when public funds are potentially used inefficiently or when safeguards are bypassed.

“I may initiate an audit because of information received. I have to assess if the subject matter is within the Auditor-General’s mandate.

“I encourage input and welcome information on the Government’s operations and the use of public funds. I acknowledge receipt of any information received, however, I do not report to individuals who submit information on whether or not I used the information or how it was used.”

Last night, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Legal Affairs said: “The Ministry can confirm that the Attorney-General’s chambers employs neither Mr Simmons nor Onyx Law in any capacity.”