The Minister of Public Works has denied claims allegedly levelled at him by a former premier that he received kickbacks from a government project.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch hit back against the alleged accusations, which he said were made by “Bermuda’s only living National Hero”.

He did not name the person whom he claimed made the comments, but called on them to come forward with proof.

Sir John Swan is one of eight National Heroes and the only living one among them.

When approached, Sir John, who is alleged to have made comments to a third party, would not be drawn to comment.

Colonel Burch was speaking at the House of Assembly on Friday during what he said could “very well be my last occasion to speak in this House”.

He told the House that he had been warned that Sir John had accused him of getting “kickbacks” from the Bermudiana Beach project that were being held in a hidden account.

Sir John was further alleged to have said this cash would be used to help Colonel Burch retire to Jamaica.

The Minister of Public Works, who last November announced his retirement from politics, said that, despite his retirement, “I am going nowhere”.

He explained: “Jamaica happens to be my second-favourite place on the planet.

“You do not have to guess what my favourite place on the planet is.”

Colonel Burch added: “I happen to be retiring from politics and active politics but I am not retiring from life or this country.”

He said that, while he had been accused of many things, he took exception to being called “a thief” and “dishonest”.

He also said to “the only living National Hero this country has” that “if they have evidence, call the police”.

Colonel Burch added: “I invite him to do so – it would be the shortest investigation they’ve ever had.”

The minister also said that living National Heroes should surrender their honorary title if they chose to return to politics, in case they did anything to make them unworthy of their title.

He explained: “When it comes to other countries, that’s probably why their National Heroes are dead – so that they can’t come back and do things that probably would prevent them from being a National Hero.”

The call came in light of the announcement of proposed changes to the National Heroes Bill 2024 that would prevent living Bermudians from becoming National Heroes.

The changes, which were mentioned earlier this month, could also see National Heroes lose their titles if they were thought to have acted in a dishonourable way.

David Burt, the Premier, said on Friday that the arrival of the Cup Match holiday in only a few weeks was a reminder of “the need for unity and community”.

He added: “I was shocked but not surprised to hear the comments from the Minister of Public Works, Colonel Burch.

“People are far too quick to be loose with their lips, to make unfounded accusations of illegality against members of the leadership of this country without any evidence, without anything, and feel that it is OK and that it’s just the standard of things we discuss.

“So when he’s telling me that the island’s only living National Hero was telling somebody else that he’s taking kickbacks from something somewhere else, it’s shocking because of where it comes from. But it’s not surprising.”

Mr Burt told MPs it was “difficult” for him because his young children were growing up and had reached an age where they “hear things”.

He added: "I don’t even own a single house in my own name, but I’m told about the house I have in Tucker’s Town and Fairylands and all the rest.

“Malicious intent for no other purpose except to reduce trust in institutions and follow the same attack lines that have always been levelled against every leader of the Progressive Labour Party.

“So we hear the comments from the living National Hero and it’s not surprising because it’s the same playbook.”

Mr Burt said that Bermuda’s “low-corruption environment” was what made it such a strong jurisdiction for international business.

He added: “If the stories that were told about me on the internet and everywhere else were true, there would not be the growth and development in international recognition which we have.”

Mr Burt instead challenged those who suspected corruption or wrongdoing of himself or any members of Cabinet to alert the police.

He also said in the House on Friday: “It’s responsible for us as leaders to remember that when we do those unfounded accusations without evidence, it lessens the trust in all of our institutions.

“It lessens the trust in all of us. It makes it more difficult to do the work that all of us must do.”

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