No conflict of interest arose for Senator Nalton Brangman after he kept his Tourism role, even in the wake of his appointment as director of infrastructure and development for the Morgan’s Point resort.

Asked by The Royal Gazette why he hadn’t stepped down right away as Junior Minister of Tourism and Transport, Sen Brangman said: “If you look under the rules of the House, all members must declare their interests and any change of interest or employment that could impede their performance.

“That has to be done to the leader at the earliest opportunity — in my case, to the Premier. That was done.”

He added he was an appointed, not elected member.

“So I have to move fast when situations arise,” he said.

Opposition rancour followed news of Sen Brangman’s appointment last week, with developer Craig Christensen hailing him as a “huge advocate” for Morgan’s Point — but the Progressive Labour Party charging a conflict between his office and the private sector job.

His decision to step down as Junior Minister was announced on Saturday.

Sen Brangman yesterday declined to discuss how long he’d been involved with Morgan’s Point, saying he was in the midst of intensive negotiations over the Southampton development.

“Right now I’ve got a hotel to get built,” he said.

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