Government Minister Saddam Hosein caused an uproar in Parliament yesterday when he revealed that social media blogger Rhoda Bharath was paid $3.3 million of taxpayers’ funds with the approval of former finance minister Colm Imbert.

He said the matter has been referred to the Attorney General for examination.

Speaking during the budget debate in the House of Representatives, Hosein said Bharath received just over $3 million from the Ministry of Finance over a period of time, and an additional $300,000 from the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB).