Clarke declined interview requests Wednesday, but said through her constituency office she was caught off guard and turned down the post. "Ms. Clarke had not been made aware of any appointment to government Treasury Board, but on (Wednesday) did receive an email from the secretary of the Treasury Board congratulating her on the recent appointment and a request to meet," read a prepared statement from Clarke's constituency office. "Eileen has contacted the premier’s office and will not be accepting the Treasury Board appointment." Pallister's office said the online announcement of Clarke's appointment was a mistake and she had not been offered the position.