The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee will investigate the $800,000 government loan given to Savvy Entertainment, Opposition leader Jarion Richardson pledged yesterday.

Mr Richardson said a court document seen by The Royal Gazette, the contents of which were reported on Monday, revealed “deeply troubling questions about the use of public funds” and David Burt’s decision to return Zane DeSilva to the Cabinet despite “longstanding concerns” about his role in the affair.

Mr Richardson said in a statement: “Bermudians deserve to know why public funds were handed over with little oversight and why the Premier continued to support an individual now at the centre of serious allegations.”

He claimed: “This is not just one bad deal; it reflects a pattern of reckless decision-making at the highest levels of government. The time has come to expose just how deep this problem runs.

“When Parliament reconvenes, the Opposition will ensure the Public Accounts Committee launches a full investigation.

“We will push for public hearings and demand transparency — any government member opposing this will be named and held accountable.”

The chairman of the PAC is usually the shadow finance minister, so will probably be named as Douglas De Couto, One Bermuda Alliance MP for Warwick North East, after Parliament reconvenes on March 14.

The bipartisan committee, comprising four government and three Opposition members, scrutinises government spending and can publish reports of its findings.

Mr Richardson said: “The PAC’s core mission is to safeguard the public interest by reviewing government spending and financial governance.

“This investigation will scrutinise decision-making processes, contractual agreements, and risks to public funds.

“Our priority is protecting taxpayers, strengthening oversight and preventing future abuses.”

He added: “This is not about political games, it’s about integrity and responsible governance.

“Bermudians deserve confidence that public funds are managed transparently and effectively.

“The Opposition is committed to using every tool available, especially the PAC, to ensure full accountability. The public deserve answers and we will provide them.“

A government spokeswoman said last night that the Government was committed to transparency, accountability and the responsible management of public funds

“The Savvy Entertainment matter is a serious issue and it should be recalled that the initial complaint to the police was made by the Government,” the spokeswoman said.

“It is a matter of public record that considerable efforts have been made by the various responsible law enforcement agencies to recover these funds and to ensure that Anthony Blakey is held to account for what has occurred.”

The spokeswoman said that it would be “inappropriate” to comment on the specific details as the investigation was still ongoing and stated that the OBA has chaired the PAC since 2017.

“While the Opposition have finally decided to use the power of the PAC, one must question whether they are motivated by accountability or just chasing headlines,” she added.

“Despite the Opposition highlighting this issue in a political context, our focus remains on the broader responsibility of governing, ensuring financial stewardship, strengthening oversight and working in the best interests of all Bermudians,” the spokeswoman added.

The $800,000 loan was given by the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism to the principals of Savvy Entertainment, Anthony Blakey and Danilee Trott, on April 4, 2018.

According to the court document, less than a month later, $100,000 was paid out of Savvy’s bank account into the personal bank account of Mr DeSilva, who was last week named the new Minister of Housing and Municipalities.

The court document detailed how detectives seized a red cash analysis book from Mr DeSilva’s home containing a “ledger of payments for Savvy”. A senior civil servant told police that the politician never disclosed his “personal financial relationship” with Savvy or Mr Blakey to anyone in government.

Mr DeSilva, the Progressive Labour Party MP for Southampton East, was charged with money laundering but the case was dropped after he paid $100,000 back to the public purse; he insists he did nothing wrong.

The Gazette’s report also drew on a raft of documents released by the Cabinet Office under public access to information, which showed Mr Burt’s enthusiasm for Savvy’s plans for a music studio in Dockyard.

The studio never materialised, the government loan was not repaid, and Mr Blakey disappeared from Bermuda. He has been charged, in his absence, with obtaining a money order by deception and prosecutors are seeking to extradite him to the island.

The Gazette’s investigation discovered that some of the taxpayer funds were likely spent by Savvy on plane tickets and hotel rooms in Australia for competitors in an extreme water sports competition.

Mr Richardson said Monday’s Gazette articles underscored the “vital need for transparency”.

“Any attempt to weaken Pati protections must be seen as a direct threat to public accountability,” he said.

Legislation to apply fees and time limits to public access to information requests was passed in the Senate in December, though Opposition senators voted against it.

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