A One Bermuda Alliance senator was tight-lipped yesterday about the employment of a Democratic New York State Assemblyman as a public relations adviser.

Justin Mathias, the new chairman of the OBA, refused to comment on the role of Michael Blake, a former aide in Barack Obama’s White House, with the party.

Mr Mathias said: “We don’t discuss internal matters, especially consultancy agreements, as they are private and confidential.”

Mr Blake’s Bermuda role was revealed in his financial disclosure to New York State, which sparked controversy over whether a state legislator should work for a foreign political party.

Mr Mathias said: “Both parties hire a slew of consultants and it’s up for the individual consultant to find out if they have any conflict of interest.”

Mr Blake reported in the mandatory disclosure that he was paid between $20,000 and $50,000 by the OBA in 2017.

The 36-year-old, who is also vice-chairman of the Democratic National Committee, listed his position as “consultant” and job description as “communications strategy”.

His 2016 disclosure also revealed similar work and payment from the OBA. Mr Blake did not respond to a request for comment. A source close to the OBA said that Mr Blake may have been hired through American political consultants Hilltop Public Solutions, who have worked for the party.

The source added: “I think that’s how he came on board.”

Hilltop’s website said it provided “business, non-profit and other entities the strategies and tactics it takes to win modern campaigns”.

The company also did not respond to a request for comment yesterday. The source added that Mr Blake had visited Bermuda “occasionally”.

The insider said: “He gave a couple of presentations to the whole parliamentary group. I think there were some that thought he was a good thing and others didn’t have much time for him.”

The source said he did not know how much Mr Blake was paid. The insider added the use of consultants by political parties in Bermuda was common.

The source said: “They always feel the need to get experts from overseas.”

Blair Horner, of the New York Public Interest Research Group, a non-partisan public affairs watchdog, said Mr Blake’s appointment was “highly unusual, if not unprecedented.”

He told The New York Daily News that it was not clear if his contract here was a conflict of interest for Mr Blake, adding: “Bermuda, as far as I know, does not have an aggressive legislative agenda in New York.”

Mr Blake was criticised in 2015 for his acceptance of a job with Hilltop and later turned down the offer.