There is a strong possibility that the report and recommendations from the serious crimes inquiry will be made public, it was announced last night.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said it was too early to say for definite whether or not the commissioners' conclusions to the month-long inquiry would be released, but at this stage it was the intention.

He said: "The Governor's intention will be to release the report, but it's a bit early to say what will happen yet. It will have to be discussed.

"It's a strong possibility. A decision will be made for definite in due course.'' At the insistence of the three presiding commissioners, members of the public and the press have been allowed to attend all of the public sessions of the inquiry, set up to study the handling of serious crimes on the Island.

Chairman Justice Stanley Moore has repeatedly said he wanted the proceedings at Supreme Court Four to be open to the public, and wanted anyone with a valid opinion on the handling of serious offences to come forward and speak.

He said he deliberately set the hearing up in a relaxed and accessible atmosphere to encourage public input.

Last night, he said because the witnesses had given their evidence in public, the expectation was that the results should be published.

He said: "Our charge is to submit the report for his Excellency the Governor and that is what we will do.

"Thereafter, it will be for the Governor and the Government to decide.

"The commission has done its work in the full glare of publicity.

"I believe there is a public expectation that the report should be made public.'' And Dave Middleton, father of murdered Canadian teenager Rebecca, said in order for the people of Bermuda to know that improvements are made following the inquiry, the recommendations should be published.

He added: "This inquiry will only have been worth it, if there is action.

"What better way of showing the people that Government is serious than by informing them of what the recommendations are and then showing them that they are being implemented.

"I have said all along -- this inquiry would not bring Rebecca back, but it could ensure that the mistakes, and any other mistakes, are not made again.'' MURDER MUR CRIME CRM