A reputation tarnished by allegations of sexual harassment played a major role in a Canadian applicant being turned down for the top post at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Bermuda Hospitals Board chairman Raymonde Dill yesterday confirmed that closer scrutiny of the man the board had selected as its first choice for Chief Executive Officer unearthed concerns.

"In doing our due diligence we did get some information that we feel gave us cause for concern,'' he said. "Our sources dug out that he did face allegations of sexual harassment. But I must stress that they were allegations, no charges were ever laid.

"The information did have some impact on our decision and contributed to our reasoning which resulted in us not proceeding with his application.'' Meanwhile, Mr. Dill was rather upbeat that efforts to attract the second choice applicant will be successful.

An appointment with the Immigration Department is slated for next week after which time Mr. Dill said he hopes to be able to make a formal announcement.

A recent trip by Mr. Dill and deputy chairman of the board Ianthia Wade to Jamaica strongly suggests that attention has been turned to the Jamaican applicant for the post.

No Bermudians were in contention for the position as the Hospitals Board narrowed the list down to two Canadians and a Jamaican.

The post of Chief Executive Officer was left vacant with the departure in July of Sheila Manderson. The position is currently being filled in an acting capacity by Joan Dillas-Wright at St. Brendan's Hospital and Lucille Parker at KEMH.