An employee of the Northwest Territories government, who is under investigation for leaking confidential emails, admits he did it.

William Turner says he feels he was doing a public service by passing the information on to the media.

William Turner, an employee of the Northwest Territories government, says he feels he was doing a public service by passing confidential emails on to the media. (CBC)

It all started during the territorial election campaign when court documents revealed Daryl Dolynny —a candidate — was being sued by the government for money owed.

That became public, embarrassing Dolynny during the campaign.

Right after the election, Dolynny, the newly-elected MLA for Range Lake, send an email to Turner's employer offering alleged proof that Turner was the whistleblower in exchange for a settlement of the money Dolynny owes.

Turner did not leak the information about the court case but Tuesday he went to the RCMP in Yellowknife to admit he did leak emails where Dolynny tries to make the deal.

He said the police had called him in to interview him about allegations of theft and breach of public trust against him and he was questioned by an RCMP investigator for almost three hours.

Turner said the emails were left in plain view at the legislative assembly where he was working weekends as a security guard. He is currently on paid leave.