Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley claimed last night that allegations of sexual misconduct at Bermuda Regiment may have been covered up because they involved "well known people" in the community.

And the UBP politician told The Royal Gazette that "highly reliable sources" have told him that records detailing at least two of the 13 accusations uncovered by this newspaper are no longer available at Warwick Camp.

The Shadow Public Safety Minister said he had been researching the issue since the claims were first reported by The Royal Gazette on September 15 and now believed an independent board of inquiry was urgently needed.

He said the Regiment needed to have the respect of the community and claims that conscripts were subjected to sexual assault and harassment could not be "brushed under the carpet".

"What makes it more concerning for me is that some of the names of the officers that are alleged to have carried out the behaviour are well known in our community," he said. "Perhaps it was covered up for a reason. I'm not on a witch hunt; I just want accountability."

The claims made by 13 male soldiers between 1989 and 2002 were discovered by this newspaper during an ongoing investigation into the Regiment. They were reported to Regiment bosses at the time by the soldiers and some were investigated by Police.

Their disclosure has already led to calls for an independent inquiry from anti-conscription group Bermudians Against the Draft (BAD).

Governor Sir Richard Gozney — the Regiment's commander-in-chief — has said he is satisfied that the Regiment dealt properly with past allegations and that "any evidence of possible criminal activity would then have been, as it would now be, referred to the Police for investigation".

The Human Rights Commission, which has the power to investigate suspected human rights abuses, met yesterday and discussed the issue.

HRC chairman Venous Memari said afterwards that the commissioners needed to look closely at the relevant section of the Human Rights Act outlawing sexual harassment of employees by those in positions of authority and how it related to conscription. "We will comment further in two weeks time," she added.

Regiment commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gonsalves reiterated last night that in order to look into allegations, he needed written and signed complaints. "It can't be anonymous," he said. "I need to know who it is."

Deputy Governor Mark Capes added: "These serious allegations are of course a matter of concern.

"Anyone with evidence to support the allegations should present it to the commanding officer of the Regiment or to the Bermuda Police Service and the matter will be properly addressed. But until a formal complaint is made and evidence is produced, the allegations remain just that, allegations."

Acting Public Safety Minister Walter Roban said on Wednesday: "Should a formal complaint be lodged then the next step would be an investigation by the appropriate body."

BAD spokesperson Larry Marshall said the remarks from all three failed to acknowledge that the 13 soldiers went to those in charge at the Regiment at the time of the alleged assaults.

"They are basically being told to go back through the process," he said. "To suggest that an already traumatised individual, who has kept these traumatic feelings inside for such an extended period of time, now must launch a formal complaint without any explanation as to what the formal complaint process is, is not helping the situation."

Mr. Marshall also lambasted Mr. Roban for failing to comment on the story until two weeks after it first appeared, despite requests for a response or interview.

"Is the public really to believe that the Minister cares when it took him that long?" he asked. "It is saying: 'I am not interested enough to answer reporters' questions on this issue'."

Sen. Dunkley said: "When I read the Minister's statement I chuckled to myself because there have been formal complaints to the Regiment. Nobody should try and cover up and say: 'We are waiting for formal complaints'. All they need to do is look back at their records."

But he added that some records may not have been retained properly. "I do know that with a couple of the allegations, records were kept and they are not available at this time."

He added that Regiment officers were in positions of authority and trust dealing with young conscripts who often did not want to be at Warwick Camp.

"Because of the power that they have and the respect that is demanded of officers in there, these allegations can't be brushed under the carpet," said Sen. Dunkley.

"With many members in the community now starting to question conscription, to me the only right thing to do is to resolve this so the public have the confidence that these issues are handled in the proper manner."