SIR John Swan has this week called for the establishment of a bipartisan judicial body in the wake of the "forged cheques" controversy, in the hope that future corruption claims are examined by an oversight committee with the power to investigate Government departments and the banks, writes Clare O'Connor.

"We need a bipartisan way of resolving legitimate claims," the former Premier said.

"We need a judicial Ombudsman that is a function of Parliament that has the authority of the highest order and all the investigative powers – almost like a Royal Commission, but standing.

"It wouldn't be an investigation by someone in the department – the body would reach into the department, the bank, wherever else, even if it becomes a judicial matter. Otherwise it is 'he said, she said'."

Sir John's comments come days after Premier Ewart Brown and Works & Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess held a press conference to announce the discovery – by Works & Engineering Permanent Secretary Robert Horton – of two cheques purporting to be payments from the contractors behind the court building to Dr. Brown and Mr. Burgess.

This announcement came three weeks after the Mid-Ocean News reported the existence of "two cheques issued to Cabinet Ministers by construction executives involved in the controversial project" (Mid-Ocean News, January 16).

The police are now urgently investigating the allegation that these cheques, from Landmark Lisgar Construction Ltd. and made out to 'Dr. E. Brown' and 'D. Burgess', are actually fabrications intended to wrongly frame these two Ministers.

Opposition Leader Kim Swan this week added his voice to the controversy, telling The Royal Gazette: "We need a full-fledged independent investigation to get to the bottom of things; independent of Government. The Government investigating itself persuades no one."