The Department of Immigration has maintained that there was “no ministerial influence or interference” behind a raid on former One Bermuda Alliance MP Shawn Crockwell’s home.

Mr Crockwell resigned from the party on Friday claiming the OBA had targeted both his business and personal life after he publicly denounced the party and its leadership.

The former Transport and Tourism Development Minister made mention of the raid on his house during his resignation speech.

This afternoon the Department of Immigration released a statement revealing that Mr Crockwell’s was the fourth of four properties raided in connection with the investigation into an illegal worker.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs can confirm that in this instance, over the course of several weeks, the DOI received multiple complaints from an anonymous complainant about a person who was allegedly working illegally, without a work permit,” the statement said.

“As such, the Department of Immigration acted in accordance with its normal investigation protocols, one of which is to act on information which is reasonable and where it appears there may be a case to answer.

“The department takes its investigations very seriously, as it has a responsibility to the people of Bermuda to protect the borders from illegal workers

“It was alleged that this individual was undertaking cleaning duties at various residences. And, since the department has, in the past, caught persons on the spot working illegally in Bermuda, immigration officers visited four residences the island on different dates and at varying times of the day. Mr Crockwell’s residence was the fourth residence visited during this investigation.

“The powers to enter and search residences are in accordance with the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956, Section 67. This reference was shared with Mr Crockwell during his line of questioning of the officers and when immigration officers spoke with Mr Crockwell they also advised him that he was not the subject or focus of the investigation.

“While we deeply regret any misunderstandings that may have occurred as to the motives behind this investigation, we can confirm that the actions of the officers were in response to the complaint and that there was no ministerial influence or interference in this matter.”