Former Premier Ewart Brown has welcomed news of a police inquiry into corruption claims made against him in Supreme Court by businessman David Bolden.He pledged last night to assist the investigation in any way he can, and threw down the gauntlet to Bolden to expand upon the allegations, which he strongly denies.Dr Brown threatened on Tuesday to pursue a private prosecution against Bolden for alleged perjury. However, his lawyer said yesterday that that plan is “not viable” now the inquiry has commenced.Financier Bolden claimed under oath that a Government Minister told him the Premier wanted ten percent of his wireless technology company and Dr Brown’s wife Wanda Henton Brown to be on the firm’s board.He did not name the Government Minister in question.Bolden also alleged the former Premier had earlier asked for a 60 percent share of the commission he earned from work on Bermuda’s public pension funds.Bolden and his wife Antoinette were cleared by a jury on Tuesday of 18 counts of theft and money laundering relating to their company Emerald Capital International. They were convicted of one offence of misleading the Bermuda Monetary Authority and bailed pending sentencing at a later date.The allegations about Dr Brown were made by Bolden on June 8 in front of Chief Justice Richard Ground but in the absence of the jury. Since the allegations were not made in front of the jury, The Royal Gazette could not report them until the trial finished.Dr Brown tried to prevent publication beyond the end of the trial but his bid was rejected by Chief Justice Richard Ground on Tuesday. The judge ordered Dr Brown to pay this newspaper’s legal costs from challenging the attempted media gag.Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva stated on Wednesday: “The Bermuda Police Service is aware of the allegations and, accordingly, we have commenced inquiries to determine whether any criminal offences have been committed.”Last night, Dr Brown’s lawyer, Mark Pettingill revealed that the planned private prosecution has been shelved due to the police inquiry.He released a statement from Dr Brown which said: “I had indicated that I would pursue a private prosecution for perjury against David Bolden because of the wholly unfounded allegations he made at his recent trial.“I have sought the services of Queen’s Counsel Jerome Lynch to assist Mark Pettingill and Marc Daniels toward that end.“Since my initial statement, there has been an announcement that there is to be a formal police investigation into the matter. I wish to make it crystal clear that I welcome that investigation and will assist in whatever way I can.”He added: “It is not without significance that the one count Bolden is convicted of is lying to the BMA, which is an imprisonable offence. I challenge Bolden or anyone else to repeat that allegation in public without the protection afforded by the system that says that no one can be prosecuted for defamation for words uttered in court.“I also challenge Bolden to name the Government Minister who purportedly brought him a message from me.”Mr Pettingill said: “As you know, Dr Brown wanted to issue proceedings as soon as possible for perjury against David Bolden and instructed us in this regard.“We have advised Dr Brown it is not viable to initiate a prosecution against Bolden at this time in light of the announcement that there is to be a formal investigation into Bolden’s claims.”