The Commission of Inquiry has given Michael Dunkley a copy of its final report into the misuse of public funds.

The Premier said in a statement today that the document was being “formatted for public dissemination” and would then be posted online.

He said: “Early last year, I announced Government’s intention to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the findings of the Auditor-General’s report on the Consolidated Fund for the financial years 2010, 2011 and 2012.

“Today, I can confirm that late yesterday afternoon, the Commission of Inquiry provided me a copy of its final report.”

He said commission chairman Sir Anthony Evans noted in a letter accompanying the report that it had been an “honour” for him to serve and “a privilege for all commissioners to serve the people of Bermuda”.

Ewart Brown, who was Premier of Bermuda from 2006 to 2010, did not answer questions from the commission’s witness box as he claimed privilege against self-incrimination.

Dr Brown released a statement today, pointing to the racial make-up of the inquiry, and claiming the whole process was a political attack on the Progressive Labour Party.

“When the commission was first introduced to us, it was clear that it was being established as a tool of the OBA government.

“Its very composition reflected the historical racism of colonial Bermuda. In 2016, the steadily decreasing black population of Bermuda remained a majority of the population. Yet, the commission included only one black member and was not represented by a single black learnt member of the Bermuda Bar.

“That, in my humble opinion, was an insult to the black community. Visually, it was quite a disgusting spectacle — black people being called before white masters to answer for some presumed skulduggery. It was truly reminiscent of the worst days of our history in Bermuda.

“The major purpose of the commission, contrary to its stated raison d’être, was to create a cloud of uncertainty over the PLP by subjecting former PLP leaders to a court-style inquiry into matters that were eight or nine years old.”

Dr Brown complained that there had been no examination into the history of activities under the United Bermuda Party or One Bermuda Alliance.

“We should all agree that violations of Financial Instructions should not be dismissed as unimportant, but they did not start with the PLP, and they did not end with the PLP.

“Violations are regrettable, and should be corrected. But, I do not believe that they needed to be explored via a Commission of Inquiry at a cost of over $1 million to the Bermuda taxpayer.

“Some might recall that when this issue was raised during my tenure as Premier of Bermuda, I suggested that if there was to be a review of past conduct, it should cover the immediate past 14 years of the UBP/OBA administrations and the most recent 14 years of PLP administrations. It seemed only fair, but was not to be. After all, that would not aid the OBA in the General Election!

“Instead we have been treated to a circus with consequences, where former black ministers and civil servants were questioned in a style more reminiscent of a court prosecution. It was a shameful display!

“Before any relevant evidence was even discussed, chairman Evans made the summary judgment and headline that the events at Port Royal Golf Course were ‘straightforward fraud’!

“So, unfortunately, what we will receive from the COI will not be balanced, because it was not conceived in a spirit of fair play, and it was not conducted in an atmosphere of impartiality. Simply put: the COI was contrived to cast aspersions on the character of past PLP administrations in order to influence the upcoming election.

“The themes associated with black people — suspected criminality and corruption — will be memorialised in print by the report. There will be no surprises.

“I can reasonably predict that I will be castigated as will others. Bermuda will join Caribbean neighbours to our South in having black governments accused of possible criminal activity, while white-controlled governments sip tea and plan for casinos and sailing spectacles that include black people, for the most part, in serving and entertainment capacities. It is a sad day in Bermuda.

“But, it is also another day when this OBA Government will show its wicked hand for everyday people to see — another day when we can resolve that we will not be deterred by those who accuse us and people we know of the very venality they themselves possess.

“We must resist, Bermuda, confident that history will tell our true story and that God will be our supreme witness.”

In his statement, Mr Dunkley also thanked Sir Anthony Evans and the other commissioners — former MP John Barritt, businessman Kumi Bradshaw and businesswoman Fiona Luck — for their hard work during the public meetings, their deliberations and the final writing of the report.

“The Commission of Inquiry was a very significant undertaking which sought to review, assess, uphold and protect standards of governance that serve the public interest,” he said.

“The Commission of Inquiry report should greatly assist in moving forward with improvements to the public administration of Bermuda. It also demonstrates this Government’s commitment to ensuring accountability at all levels to ensure that we maintain global confidence in Bermuda as being a first class, top tier jurisdiction.”

Mr Dunkley said the public would be notified once the report was available.

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