Craig Westcott was hired in October as the communications director of Newfoundland and Labrador's Liberal Party. (CBC) The Newfoundland and Labrador government is questioning the judgment of the new communications director of the Opposition Liberal Party.

On Wednesday the government released an email that Craig Westcott wrote to the premier's office in 2009 asking whether Danny Williams had any illness that was affecting behaviour.

Westcott, a journalist at that time, questioned if Williams was either mentally ill or in the later stages of syphilis.

"A growing number of intelligent and observant people were growing concerned [about the premier's actions]," wrote Westcott.

The office of Premier Danny Williams did not respond to an email it received in 2009 asking whether Williams was suffering from an illness that was affecting his behaviour. (CBC)The email was written in February 2009 when Westcott was editor of Business Post magazine.

"Please excuse the nature of this question … but it may be germane given the premier's behaviour," wrote Westcott. "It has been suggested to me that Mr. Williams is bipolar. Another person has suggested to me that he acts as if he is suffering in the later stages of syphilis.

"Is the premier being treated for a mental illness, or any illness that might influence his behaviour and the handling of his office? I realize that normally this would be a private matter. However, he is the premier of the province, and if his behaviour is the result of an illness, the subject is relevant to the public welfare."

Westcott became the provincial Liberal Party's communications director last week.

The premier's office never responded to the email, but government sources said Wednesday that now that Westcott is in politics, it was fair game to release the email.

In an interview with CBC News Wednesday, the acting leader of the provincial Liberals said the email was meant to be a joke.

"[The government] obviously must feel threatened that we've hired someone who doesn't always agree with the premier," said Kelvin Parsons. "It was a joke. It was a lark by Mr. Westcott."