WHISTLEBLOWER Harold Darrell says he will not leak further details about a police investigation into Government corruption at the Bermuda Housing Corporation ¿ unless Government either attempts to smear him or targets him for revenge.

The businessman, who is standing as an Independent candidate in next month's General Election, told the Mid-Ocean News he would only divulge further details about the wide-ranging police inquiry "to defend any attempt to soil my character".

He added that, by divulging just some of the findings contained in a police dossier, he had achieved his objective ¿ to expose members of the Cabinet who were the subject of the investigation ¿ and that an "overwhelming number of party supporters" had since given him their backing.

In June, the Mid-Ocean News published some of the details contained in the police dossier on the case, including allegations that Premier Ewart Brown abused his position as a Government Minister for financial gain by selling his property to the Government quango at an inflated price.

But the media were barred from reporting further details from the dossier after Government and Police launched a legal bid to muzzle the press. The Attorney General and Commissioner of Police argued that the files were confidential and had been stolen, and therefore should not be made public. That argument was thrown out by the Privy Council two weeks ago.

Earlier this month Mr. Darrell claimed that further serious and highly damaging allegations against Government MPs were made to detectives during their two-year-long probe, although he declined to go into detail.

Mr. Darrell, who is currently on police bail pending an inquiry into the alleged theft of the dossier, has refused to explain how details of the probe, which wrapped up in 2004, came into his possession.

But yesterday he confirmed he would not be passing on any more details to the press. He said he did not think it necessary to divulge further information from the file as he had achieved his objective.

"I gave parts of the police dossier to the press so that they could inform the public of two things ¿ the Government officials identified by the police as the wrongdoers in this scandal, and also the apparent cover-up of the investigation by higher authorities," said Mr. Darrell, who earlier this month confirmed to the Mid-Ocean News that he was the author of the now infamous 'Son of the Soil' letter widely circulated after the scandal broke.

"It was never my intention to be malicious with the contents of the police dossier. The public now know and therefore are better informed to go to the polls and vote.

"While I say that, I will use the police dossier to defend any attempt to soil my character and any legal action brought against me. Bermudians have been informed about the good and the bad of their elected officials and can now go to the polls knowing which personalities they are voting in or out.

"More importantly, they know that if the PLP is voted back in under Premier's Brown's leadership on December 18, they can no longer complain about his style of leadership. A PLP victory in this election will sanction Premier Brown's leadership."

Mr. Darrell said he had received a great deal of public support after revealing that he was the source of the leak two weeks ago. The Pembroke Central resident is now canvassing in the constituency, where he is standing as an Independent candidate against Community & Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief and Opposition United Bermuda Party candidate Austin Warner.

"The response on the doorsteps has been very encouraging," the former PLP supporter said.

"The people in my constituency have expressed a lot of concern regarding the direction the island appears to be going in. You see, people, through their own hard work, look forward to a better life for themselves and their families and in this endeavour expect a level playing field, a fair business environment and honest leaders. In my constituency, however, some believe that this is not the case and it's very unsettling for them.

"What they are saying is that they don't want Dr. Brown as the Premier. Now is this sentiment going to translate into voters not voting for the PLP? I don't know, we will have to wait for the conclusion of the General Election to find that out.

"And while I have heard that some in the PLP are calling me a traitor, an overwhelming number of party supporters have stopped me on the street to tell me that I did the right thing and to stand strong. I have received communication from people from all walks of life, some even offering to contribute towards my legal fees. To those individuals and businesses, I thank you for your kind gesture."

Mr. Darrell said he decided to run for Parliament because he was dissatisfied with the current political environment. He said he was standing on principle as it was important to give voters an opportunity to express their own concerns with the current political set-up.

"I am standing to give others who, like me, are disillusioned with today's political environment, a place to cast their vote," he said.

"It's another way for me to stand up and fight for my principles. As an Independent, having a platform would be meaningless since I could not even suggest that I would have the least chance of achieving it.

"However, should I be elected, I do offer integrity and a promise never to be compromised or bought, and always to look out for my constituents. Many constituents have been complaining about the way things are going on the island and, because of their integrity and beliefs, are thinking about not voting.

"My running in this General Election gives them an opportunity to register that complaint where it counts without having to compromise their integrity or beliefs.

"Our grandparents and parents struggled very hard for us to have the right to vote and that right should not be so easily cast aside. We are at a crossroads in local politics and everyone's involvement is important and needed."

Explaining why he was fighting the seat as an Independent rather than signing up to one of the two mainstream parties, Mr. Darrell said: "I grew up in an environment where I am not comfortable with the philosophy of the UBP.

"I shall always support the labour philosophy but I feel the present leadership of the PLP does not represent that philosophy or the labour constituency."

And asked his opinion of Opposition leader Michael Dunkley, Mr. Darrell replied: "I have never met Mr. Dunkley, but based solely on what I have read and heard of him from others, I would say that he has shown that he has the interests of the people at heart and is a selfless man."