No new information has come to light during an internal probe into claims of sexual misconduct at Warwick Camp, according to the commanding officer of the Bermuda Regiment.

Lt. Col. Brian Gonsalves told The Royal Gazette that his inquiry — prompted by revelations in this newspaper last September about allegations made by 14 male soldiers between 1989 and 2002 — was complete.

"Unfortunately, no further details have been gained by the recent investigation than (those) previously reviewed at the time, and only second-hand and unsubstantiated information was provided at this time," he said.

The CO said his powers were limited in law to interviewing serving Regiment members — meaning he did not speak to any former soldiers who made allegations.

Some of the alleged victims told this newspaper last year that their claims were not dealt with properly by Regiment bosses, prompting calls for a Royal Commission from politicians Michael Dunkley and Wayne Furbert and anti-conscription campaigner Larry Marshall.

Governor Sir Richard Gozney rejected the need for a Royal Commission, saying there was "no convincing argument" for one.

Mr. Marshall, from Bermudians Against the Draft, said yesterday he never expected the Regiment's internal investigation to come up with anything and a rigorous independent public inquiry was still needed. "Of course, it comes as no surprise that there was nothing uncovered," he said.

Lt. Col. Gonsalves told this newspaper his inquiry was to determine whether staff could provide further details about any allegations of sexual misconduct at Warwick Camp before and after 2002.

He said the majority of the 14 allegations reported by this newspaper centred around a single former officer who was no longer with the Regiment.

"We interviewed a number of currently serving soldiers; of course, understandably, only those that were in service prior to 2002 were able to contribute any meaningful information," said the CO.

Mr. Marshall said: "What is interesting to note is that Gonsalves attempts to limit the allegations to one particular individual and to one particular period, more specifically prior to 2002.

"On both counts he is wrong and it is just a matter of proving it. To do so means providing evidence that sexual abuse did in fact take place after that time and it definitely did.

"As far as there only being one perpetrator: the stories you ran in the September articles would refute that assertion as they mention at least two."

The CO has previously said the Regiment does not keep statistics on sexual misconduct claims as it is not a problem and the public does not need to know how many have been made in the past.

He said this week that any new allegations would be investigated in future.

"I reaffirm my commitment, as Commanding Officer, that my staff and I will continue to remain ever vigilant to ensure a safe and harassment-free environment for all our soldiers, whatever their rank."

He added that every soldier now receives annual anti-harassment training and a handbook containing the values and standards of the Regiment, including sections for commanders on addressing and countering bullying, discrimination and harassment.

The Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs launched separate investigations into the sexual misconduct claims last autumn, in addition to the Regiment's internal inquiry.

Deborah Blakeney, director of the Department of Human Affairs, said it was not possible to comment on the HRC investigation, launched on October 15, as it was bound under the Human Rights Act to preserve confidentiality, especially in relation to any allegation involving sexual harassment.

Home Affairs Minister David Burch, asked about the inquiry launched by his Ministry, said: "I anticipate an update from the CO of the Regiment, however recruit camp will most likely delay the update for two weeks."

Lt. Col. Gonsalves said the HRC had not been in touch with him and that he had spoken to Sen. Burch about the Ministry of Home Affairs inquiry.