B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell's longtime associate, Ken Dobell, has answered his critics, insisting there is no conflict between his dual roles as an adviser to the premier and as a contractor with the City of Vancouver.

Two weeks ago, the NDP said Dobell, who served as deputy minister to the premier before retiring and becoming Campbell's special adviser, appeared to have begun work as a lobbyist more than six months before he registered with the provincial registry of lobbyists.

Ken Dobell told reporters in Victoria on Monday he is not in a conflict of interest.
(CBC)

The Lobbyists' Registration Act says any lobbyist must register with the province within 10 days of starting work for a client.

On Monday, Dobell told a packed news conference in Victoria that he is not a lobbyist, but a consultant for the city. He said he only signed up with the registry out of an abundance of caution.

He also said the NDP's allegations to the contrary have impugned his integrity and his reputation as a longtime public servant.

"I do not now and never have thought of the housing or cultural precinct work for the City of Vancouver as lobbying," Dobell told reporters.

He also said there was no conflict in his various roles: formerly deputy minister to the premier, he is currently a special adviser on issues such as softwood lumber, as well as a contractor with the City of Vancouver on culture and homelessness.

"This issue has been raised repeatedly and reported repeatedly. There is no conflict."

However, Dobell acknowledged there could be the perception of conflict. "The answer to perceived conflict is full disclosure, and we have certainly done that," he said.

Earlier on Monday, the premier's office came to Dobell's defence. It released a memo written last week by the current deputy minister to the premier, Jessica McDonald, that clears Dobell of any conflict.

McDonald said Dobell has conducted himself with the utmost integrity.