David Burt, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition Leader, has posed an open question to Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy as to whether he had any discussions with developer Steven DeCosta over the guarantee for the Par-la-Ville hotel project.

During a press conference at Alaska Hall this morning, Mr Burt expressed concern over the “silence of the OBA” regarding the Par-la-Ville car park being under the control of a Mexican company.

Par-la-Ville car park was used as collateral for the $18 million loan provided by Mexico Infrastructure Finance LLC to Par-la-Ville Hotel and Residencies, with the Corporation of Hamilton acting as the guarantor.

Mr Burt also posed a number of questions to Premier Michael Dunkley, including whether Mr DeCosta, who accompanied Cabinet Ministers on the controversial “Jetgate” flight to visit American businessman Nathan Landow, was involved in discussions over the guarantee.

Speaking along with Walton Brown, the Shadow Minister for Immigration, Mr Burt said that it was his expectation that the Bermuda Government would “come clean” during the Premier’s national address, which can be found on RG Online at 6.50pm today.

“Step up, be a leader, and instead of posing for photo ops, tell the people of Bermuda exactly what is going on with the $18 million,” Mr Burt said in an open challenge to the Premier.

“Let the people know what has happened to the money that you assured Parliament and the taxpayers that there was appropriate checks and balances in place.”

He then posed specific questions on the “debacle” that is the Par-la-Ville hotel project.

“As part of your due diligence, did you seek assurances from the branded partner for the Par-la-Ville development Starwood?

“Do you have knowledge of the intent of the Corporation of Hamilton to release the funds in escrow to Argyll Ltd before they were released?

“Are you aware that no resolution was passed by the Corporation of Hamilton to release funds to Argyll Ltd? Given that is the case, why and how exactly were these funds released?

“What did the developer show to the Cabinet that satisfied the ministers that the developer was worthy of a change of legislation and gained government support for their plans to use the Par-la-Ville car park as collateral for a bridging loan?

“There must have been something that was shown to Government in order for them to change the law and say that you can use the Par-la-Ville car park to obtain financing for your project.”