The principal of one of Bermuda's top schools has hit back at reports that he waited a day before calling in Police after allegedly finding a pupil had drugs in her possession.

The Royal Gazette reported last Thursday that Police were called to Warwick Academy a day after a girl was caught with cannabis.

A parent accused headmaster Robert Lennox of failing to take adequate action and said officers should have been called immediately after the drug was found on April 24.

But in a written statement to The Royal Gazette , Mr. Lennox said he was misrepresented.

He said: "I really must take exception to the repeated allegation that Warwick Academy delayed calling in the Police for a day over the alleged possession of a drug by a pupil. This simply is not true.

"Whilst we became aware of the situation during the morning, the substance itself was not in our possession until about 3.30 p.m. -- the end of school.

It had been hidden.

"The material in question (one rolled cigarette incidentally -- not a bag of cannabis) was handed to the Police the following morning.

"Any reference that in some way we sought to avoid involving the Police is sheer malice.

"The pupil in question was suspended from school immediately (Monday evening), pending personal testing and testing of the material.

"When the results became available, which was Friday April 28, the school's clear policy was adopted.'' The story in The Royal Gazette also reported a Warwick Academy parent claiming that a pupil was insufficiently punished after making a hoax bomb threat at the school.

On that occasion, Police were called to the school where they thoroughly searched the building causing a disruption of classes.

Referring to that incident, Mr. Lennox said: "Both of the issues referred to were in fact dealt with very effectively by both the Police and ourselves.

"No one has complained to me at all. In fact, I have had messages of support.

All Warwick Academy parents know that if they have real concerns they can contact me to discuss them.''