The Shadow Minister of Tourism has called for the Bermuda Tourism Authority to “set the record straight” after conflicting stories surrounding its internal processes.

Dwayne Robinson called on Owen Darrell, the tourism minister, to speak on his plans for the BTA after it appeared to be “crumbling from the top”.

Mr Robinson said: “Allowing rumours and conflicting stories to thrive in the public domain only further damages the reputation of the BTA.

“If the [chief executive] and another member of the executive team have been placed on administrative leave, how can another member of that same team now be appointed as acting CEO?”

The BTA confirmed that two of its executive members had been placed on administrative leave following a culture review that suggested a toxic working environment.

One of these members was understood to have been Tracy Berkeley, its chief executive, after sources said she had cleared her desk and was put on “indefinite paid leave”.

Erin Wright serves as the acting chief executive during this time.

An anonymous source later claimed that Ms Berkeley had been used as a scapegoat and that there were many members who did not feel “bullied” or “siloed” as written out by the review.

Mr Robinson said that, because of these leaks, the issue could no longer be treated as an internal matter and needed to be addressed by the BTA board.

He also called on Mr Darrell to address accusations of “ministerial overreach”.

Mr Robinson said: “The minister is meant to safeguard the people’s investment into the BTA and help ensure proper return on investment.

“That does not seem to be the case and the minister has yet to reassure the public that he has met with the BTA and the organisation is able to operate effectively despite inner turmoil.”

He added: “It is clear that a new CEO is not enough and Ms Berkeley should not be the only person left holding the bag.

“The organisation's problems cannot be attributed to just two executives.

“They had layers of oversight, which apparently was not effective in helping them succeed. More wholesale changes are needed if the BTA is to recover.

“There must be representation from the Bermuda Hotel Association, Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operator Association, Minibus operators, the Bermuda Rental Association of Vacation-Home Owners, restaurateurs and other tourism stakeholders, along with a firm commitment from the BTA board to enact the solutions from the recent culture review.”

The BTA and tourism minister have been contacted for comment.