The Governor today urged people with information on any criminal activity attached to the development of the new TCD building and the emissions centres to contact Police.

Sir Richard Gozney said it was the only way an investigation and prosecutions could take place.

His comments followed Auditor General Heather Matthews’ special report which revealed a $10 million overspend on the TCD project, ministerial interference from the outset and a “lack of accountability and a general disregard for established policies and procedures in the use of public funds”.

Said Sir Richard in a press release this morning: “The Auditor General briefed me carefully on the contents of the report and has my strong support in her decision to put the story in full, and publicly, to the Legislature. I shall be interested to see how Bermuda's Legislature receives the report, and to hear what recommendations the parliamentarians may make. “

He expressed concern over any project which suggested “poor governance and poor accountability of large sums of public funds”.

“The Auditor General's report paints a picture of sloppy mismanagement and a lack of adequate controls. Any contract which is allowed to treble in cost over four or five years cannot be well-managed.”

Sir Richard continued: “If anyone, inside or outside of Government, has evidence to substantiate allegations of criminality, I urge that person to give it, as soon as possible, to the Auditor General or to the Police. The Police would not hesitate to investigate such evidence and, if upheld, to put forward a case for prosecution.”

For the full story see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.