Health Minister Nelson Bascome stepped down from Government yesterday to fight a possible court case. It is understood a file has been passed by Police to the Department of Public Prosecutions, relating to Mr. Bascome’s maintenance business during his first spell as Health Minister from 1998 to 2003.

At a brief press conference at Cabinet Office Mr. Bascome said Premier Ewart Brown had granted him a leave of absence.

Attorney General Phil Perinchief has taken over as Health Minister although it was unclear how long the arrangement would last.

Mr. Bascome told the media: “Last year you may recall a story was reported in a local newspaper regarding an investigation into my personal business of which I am the only financial backer. It is clear to me although this is a private and personal business matter there are some persons intent on using this as a means to discredit me and this Government politically.

“Leaks of information notwithstanding I simply cannot allow the success of this Government’s programme to be clouded by a personal matter.

“In the coming days I shall request through my Attorney and the Department of Public Prosecutions attend to matters related to this investigation quickly so that I can put it behind me and resume my act of service for the people of Bermuda as a minister of this Government.”

Saying the matters were “sensitive” he declined to take further questions while Premier Brown confirmed he had told Acting Governor Mark Capes of the situation.

Premier Brown added: “I am grateful for the courageous move made by this gesture today as it allows us to remain focussed on the task at hand which is to do the best we can for the people of Bermuda.”

Dr. Brown also refused to take further questions on the matter.

Government House last night confirmed the matter is with the Department of Public Prosecutions but could not comment further.

Last July Mr. Bascome told The House of Assembly he was planning to sue the Mid-Ocean News for libel over a story which claimed he was being investigated by the fraud squad.

Mr. Bascome did not make clear whether there was a Police investigation but told the House: “The matter to which they refer is my private business which I own and which is funded by myself and secured by the deeds to my property.”

Mr. Bascome, 51, was appointed Health Minister by then-Premier Jennifer Smith following the PLP’s election victory in 1998. But he lost the Housing portfolio in October 2002, six months after corruption scandals rocked the Bermuda Housing Corporation, a Government quango which Mr. Bascome had been responsible for.

Mr. Bascome, who remained Minister of Health throughout the PLP’s first term in office, was eventually dropped from the Cabinet by Premier Alex Scott following the party’s second election victory in 2003.

But he was re-appointed as Health Minister by Ewart Brown when he became Premier in October last year.