Bermuda College and the new chairman of its board of governors had nothing to say yesterday about a highly-critical report which reveals that it has failed to comply with proper financial procedures.

College president Dr. Charles Green — who benefited from membership of a private members’ club and payment of his utility bills courtesy of taxpayers - could not be contacted for comment.

He told a press conference last month that a statement would be issued by the college on completion of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) probe into perks enjoyed by him.

But despite the damning report being made available to the public yesterday at the House of Assembly, no statement was forthcoming. Dr. Green has previously denied any wrongdoing.

The college’s director of communications, Evelyn James Barnett, admitted that she was not aware the report had been tabled and referred The Royal Gazette to former Senator Larry Mussenden, who was appointed board chairman on November 30, for comment.

Mr. Mussenden said he too was not aware of the report being presented to MPs and could not say when he expected to read the document.

He declined an offer by this newspaper to provide him with a copy yesterday. He said: “I will get a copy in due course. I’m sure it will be forwarded to me in due course.

“Then I will read it and make a comment. I’m not commenting on it today. I have other things to do. I don’t spend every single day up at Bermuda College.”

He suggested he be contacted “sometime next week” for a response.

Former board chairman Nalton Brangman — who investigated payments made by the college for Dr. Green’s membership of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, his electricity bills and renovation on his college-owned home — said he would comment in detail after the weekend, when he had read the report in detail.

His predecessor Raymond Tannock, a former PLP Senator, could not be reached for a response. Evidence given to the PAC suggested that he approved payment of the club membership and utility bills for Dr. Green.

He has previously told this newspaper: “I have done nothing that I feel ashamed of.”

Education Minister Randy Horton was off the Island last night. A Government spokesman said the Minister would not comment at this stage.

Finance Minister Paula Cox issued a lengthy response to the full PAC report — for details of which will be in Monday’s newspaper — but did not comment specifically on the findings.

The Deputy Premier said the PAC provided an important form of external oversight over the financial affairs of the Government.

“This administration appreciates that this process is an important element of the financial reporting accountability cycle within Government,” she said. “I wish to make it abundantly clear that I, as the Minister of Finance, take this responsibility very seriously and have undertaken a commitment to continually improve public financial management across Government and look forward to responding to the report.”

She admitted that were “still obstacles to overcome with regard to late financial reporting” but that this was being addressed.

Bermuda College is two years behind in filing its accounts.

Ms Cox said: “The Government is committed to strengthening the way in which it manages and controls Bermuda’s public finances and I have every confidence that continued improvements will be achieved.”

The PAC report found that Bermuda College did not comply with Government Financial Instructions.

As a quango, it is expected, though not required by law, to do so in the interests of proper fiscal management.