Responsibilities for the Judiciary, Legislature and the Department of Public Prosecution have been handed back to the new Attorney General after she dealt with "private matters".

Last week Premier Ewart Brown announced his new Cabinet, which included Sen. Kim Wilson as Attorney General (AG).

However, a press release later in the day indicated that the Ministry of Justice had been scrapped and Dr. Brown had given himself responsibility for the Judiciary, Legislature and the Department of Public Prosecution leaving Sen. Wilson with responsibility over the AG's chambers. But yesterday Dr. Brown announced that he would be handing back the responsibilities he had earlier taken.

He said: "The Attorney General has confirmed that those private matters which might have made the assumption of these ministerial responsibilities unduly burdensome have been resolved and I am happy to return those areas of responsibility to her.

"Icertainly have enough to do."

The Premier added that he would formally advise His Excellency the Governor of the position.

A spokeswoman for the Government said: "The public will note that following a series of private discussions between the Premier and the Attorney General, Senator Kim. N. Wilson JP, which centred around the Attorney General's immediate availability to deal with the administrative functions required under the Ministry of Justice, the responsibilities for the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will revert to the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General will have responsibility for them accordingly."

The spokeswoman also said: "The combination of historically separate ministries means that the Official Gazette is the best guide by which to determine ministerial portfolios." The final list will be in the Official Gazette on January 4.

Sen. Wilson is currently abroad and was not available for comment.

John Barritt, who is the UBP's Shadow AG, said he was pleased with the announcement and wished Sen. Wilson well. Previously his party accused the Premier of micromanaging and not trusting his colleagues.

He said: "I am pleased to hear that (Sen. Wilson has regained full AG responsibilities).

"I think it's the right thing to do. There is no question that what was originally put out there was wrong, not only for appearances but because there should be a separation of the executive and judiciary and prosecution.

"I am pleased those responsibilities have gone back to Sen. Wilson and I hope she will do all in her power and ensure there are separations of the independence of the position from political influence, as much as possible."