EDMONTON — Former premier Alison Redford has notified the Alberta legislature Speaker’s office that she has a legitimate excuse for not attending the legislative assembly.

Redford’s staff advised the Speaker she is declaring her absence under rules that exempt MLAs from being docked pay if they can’t attend due to illness or injury, bereavement, or public or official business outside the legislature, said a spokeswoman for the Speakers’ office.

The spokeswoman said she wasn’t aware of the specific reason for the absence.

The former premier, who is continuing to sit as MLA for Calgary-Elbow, has not attended the legislature since resigning from her office March 23.

Premier Dave Hancock said he wasn’t concerned about Redford’s lack of attendance in the house.

“It’s not my duty as premier to police attendance in the legislature,” he said Wednesday. “I am not about to question how any given MLA represents their constituents. ... People can make their own judgments with respect to that.”

dhenton@calgaryherald.com