Bermuda’s anti-corruption laws must be updated and simplified, Trevor Moniz told the House of Assembly as he detailed the Bill that was passed in the Lower House.

The Attorney-General said that the Bribery Act 2016 would “address significant gaps in legislation” and help to enhance the island’s international reputation.

He added that other small jurisdictions such as Gibraltar and the Isle of Man had already introduced laws to fight corruption into the modern age. Among the offences covered in the Bill are bribery of foreign public officials and the failure of commercial organisations to prevent bribery. All public officials will also be mandated to report any offer of a bribe, or face stiff penalties.

“No longer will it be acceptable behaviour to turn a blind eye when corruption is seen or suspected in the public service,” Mr Moniz added.

The legislation will only apply to future offences, and cannot be implemented retroactively. One Bermuda Alliance MP Leah Scott, the president of the Bermuda Association of Licensed Trustees, said the Act was “designed to keep businesses honest”. “We are dealing in a very strongly regulated world. We believe that this legislation will create a level playing field.”

Progressive Labour Party MP Michael Scott, the Shadow Attorney-General, welcomed the Act, calling it “an important first step”.

However, he added that the legislation should have been more “Bermuda-centric” rather than simply replicating the laws of the United Kingdom, which made widespread changes in 2011.

PLP MP Walton Brown, the Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, also applauded the Act. “We need to ensure our reputation is strong, robust and protected,” he said.

But Mr Brown questioned Mr Moniz’s comment that more consultation would take place after the Bill passed, suggesting that discussions should have been completed before it was brought to Parliament.