Michael Scott, the Shadow Attorney-General, has accused Attorney-General Trevor Moniz of neglecting protocol on the notification of the public over the release from prison of sex offenders.

Speaking after the release of paedophile John Malcolm White, Mr Scott said there had been a process in place since 2009 for issuing information on sex offenders — as implemented by Kim Wilson, Attorney-General under the Progressive Labour Party.

Mr Moniz said on Wednesday that he had been unable to tell the public about White’s release because a written policy on how to do so had yet to be drawn up. That statement was then later rebuffed by One Bermuda Alliance backbencher Mark Pettingill, a former Attorney-General, who said that the legislation stated that the Attorney-General “may” establish a protocol on the issue.

Mr Scott said a pathway had been in place since 2009, adding: “The Attorney-General and the Premier’s lack of awareness of the key sequence of events that has predated and postdated this implemented protocol is unacceptable.”

His statement listed measures put in place under the PLP administration, including:

• October 29, 2001: Notification requirements for sex offenders were made effective under Section 329H of the Criminal Code 1907, placing responsibility for administering the protocols for public notification on the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice;

• 2009: Ms Wilson as Attorney-General set protocol for the release of information about convicted sex offenders, and issued it to the Bermuda Police Service as Minister of Justice.

Mr Scott said that for Mr Moniz to deny the existence of a written protocol was “clearly a fallacy” — adding that he had “grave concerns”.

Responding to the criticism, a Cabinet Office spokesman said: “The safeguarding and protection of Bermuda’s children and the most vulnerable members of our community is a paramount priority for this government.

“While key ministers and the Joint Select Committee continue to consider this matter, the public can be assured that Michael Dunkley, the Premier, and his colleagues are well aware of its seriousness.

“The public can also be reassured that Government is taking immediate steps to address it, and that the Bermuda Police Service will monitor any released offender.”