Opposition United Bermuda Party (UBP) leader Grant Gibbons has written to the Governor asking him to assist in the release of the Auditor General's annual report to the public.

Dr. Gibbons said he regretted having to ask Governor Sir John Vereker to intervene, particularly in the run up to the General Election, but said he believed people should not be deprived of important information on the Government's handling of public funds when they were set to go to the polls.

“Under normal circumstances, the report would have been made public by tabling it in Parliament,” said Dr. Gibbons.

“However, within hours of the report being sent to the printer, the Premier asked the Governor to dissolve Parliament and call an election. This last minute move delayed the release of the report through the House of Assembly until after the election.

“As I pointed out to the Governor, we believe that the people of Bermuda have a right to know whether their leaders are conducting the public's business appropriately and whether they are spending the public's money wisely.”

Dr. Gibbons said the alleged scandal at the Bermuda Housing Corporation and the “mismanagement” of the new senior school project, which is said to be at least a year behind schedule, went to the heart of issues that were vital to the future of all Bermudians.

He added: “The responsibility for open, fair and honest Government properly rests in the hands of the Premier. It is regrettable that the Premier has decided to go to the polls without first making an effort to give a satisfactory explanation for these many outstanding issues.

“That is why I have, with great reluctance, felt compelled to appeal to the Governor.''

In the interests of clearing the air and giving the people of Bermuda the information they need to make a fair decision at the polls, I urge the Premier to cooperate in releasing the auditor's report to the voters of this country.”

As Parliament was officially dissolved the day Premier Jennifer Smith announced there was to be an election on July 24, it seems unlikely that the auditor's report will be released, as it is always first reported to the House.

Yesterday, Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said: “I can confirm that the leader of the Opposition has written to the Governor, but, of course, the process of publishing Auditor General's reports is normally done through the House of Assembly and Government House is not part of that process.”