A vehicle emissions test firm has launched legal action against the Ministry of Tourism and Transport after their contract was axed at the start of the year.

Bermuda Emissions Control Ltd filed a writ against the Minister of Tourism and Transport and others last month.

Other respondents include Roy Dennison, Vernon Tucker, Craig Smith, Edward Harris, Mike Watkins, Willoughby Richardson, Arthur LaSalle and Winifred Butterfield, who are understood to be former employees.

A spokesman for the firm declined to comment on the lawsuit yesterday.

It was reported in January that the firm would be stripped of its contract to carry out checks for the Transport Control Department from the start of February and that TCD would carry out the work itself.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Tourism and Transport said at the time that most of the team would be offered employment under the new arrangement, which was expected to save the Government $400,000 a year.

BECL started emissions testing and roadworthiness checks for all vehicles in 2009 after it was awarded a controversial multimillion-dollar deal without a tender process.

The company was tasked with testing the emissions of vehicles every year — but there are no emissions standards in place, which made it impossible to fail.

The original five-year contract was later extended on shorter-term deals by the former One Bermuda Alliance administration.

The contract was last renewed for a year in early 2018 by the Progressive Labour Party government.