Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy has defended his call for the Corporation of Hamilton to desist from mounting legal challenges to Government’s authority, claiming that lawsuits are “an unnecessary waste of taxpayer’s money”.

But he added that he was “hopeful” that common ground can be found between Government and City Hall — despite claims by Corporation insiders that some members of the Team Hamilton administration are already gearing up for another legal challenge.

Sen Fahy spoke out after The Royal Gazette revealed that Government had issued the municipality with an ultimatum to stop filing writs against Government or risk being shut down and replaced by a board of bureaucrats.

In recent months the Corporation has pursued a string of legal actions against Government, which took temporary control of the municipality’s finances in December following concerns of maladministration at City Hall.

While the warning was supported by some commentators, others have accused Government of being heavy-handed and undemocratic.

Yesterday Sen Fahy told The Gazette: “Litigation between two bodies funded by the tax payer is an unnecessary waste of taxpayer’s money. Furthermore, it’s not in the best interests of Bermuda as a whole. The only individuals who benefit are the lawyers acting on behalf of the Corporation of Hamilton and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“That said, I have been invited by the Mayor of Hamilton to meet with the full council this week and I will be prepared to provide an update to the public at a later date.

“I must stress, that at this stage, it would be premature to discuss any form of logistics of any kind until my meeting with the Council has been concluded and I have updated the Cabinet.

“I am however hopeful that some common ground can be found. There are many areas in which the Bermuda Government and the Corporation of Hamilton can work together and we have been doing that. A successful city means a successful Bermuda and I remain hopeful that we can move forward.”

Sen Fahy is scheduled to meet with the Corporation’s board tomorrow.

Yesterday this newspaper e-mailed Hamilton mayor Graeme Outerbridge asking if the Corporation was considering taking further legal action against Government. He did not respond.