A Police probe into allegations that a United Bermuda Party (UBP) approved candidate tried to coerce a civil servant into handing over documents on the Berkeley construction project has stalled.

But when contacted the Bermuda Police Service was not prepared to say whether the inquiries had even evolved into a formal investigation or whether the matter has been dropped altogether.

Asked for an update on the matter, spokesperson Dwayne Caines said : "There is no update".

Two months ago, Mr. Caines had said that the Police had no official statement to make concerning the investigation.

In April, Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott alleged that a UBP approved candidate, later identified as Roger Russell, had attempted to coerce a senior Civil Servant to hand over documents on the Berkeley senior secondary school project. Mr. Scott said that the saga was part of a "politically motivated" plot to compromise the project and the Government.

The UBP hit back with allegations of its own, saying that Mr. Scott was engaging in "political grandstanding". And a sworn affidavit by Mr. Russell made counterclaims that the Civil Servant had approached him with serious concerns about corruption in relation to the project.

A formal complaint was made to the Police, but The Royal Gazette has been trying without success since April to determine whether an investigation has started.

However sources within the Police Service say that the case is now considered of very low priority.

UBP Leader Grant Gibbons said yesterday that he was not surprised that the Police had made little progress.

"My sense is that there was no basis for the allegation against Mr. Russell in the first place so I am not surprised that there has been no further movement. The allegations were baseless and I believe Mr. Russell responded to that in his affidavit. The ball is now in Minister Scott's court."

Mr. Scott, for his part, would be surprised if the case has been dropped. "I would have to know what made them feel there was no case to pursue," given continuing allegations being made by the UBP with respect to Berkeley, the Minister said.

"Maybe the individual concerned would have to take a civil case. But before we get there, there would be questions to be asked of the Police."

Mr. Scott questioned why the Police would drop the Berkeley inquiry, yet call in Scotland Yard to help investigate allegations of wrongdoing at the Bermuda Housing Corporation.

"Riddle me this - what's the difference ?" he said.