Police are investigating an allegation of criminal libel made by a detective against high-profile lawyer Charles Richardson.

And Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva is understood to have made a complaint to Bermuda Bar Council about the behaviour of the 39-year-old defence attorney.

Mr. Richardson posted critical comments on Facebook on May 11 about Acting Detective Chief Inspector Robert Cardwell, the officer who led an investigation into him last year, when cannabis was found at his Hamilton Parish home.

The detective said at the time he was seeking legal advice and considering all his options. Mr. Richardson told The Royal Gazette he posted the remarks "because I felt like it".

Police are now investigating whether Mr. Richardson unlawfully published defamatory matter about Acting Det. Ch. Insp. Cardwell on the social networking website.

The message he posted, which this newspaper will not repeat for legal reasons, could be read by his 1,320 Facebook friends, including The Royal Gazette.

If charged and convicted of the offence under the Criminal Code, he could face a prison sentence of up to two years.

Mr. Richardson could also get into trouble with the governing body for his profession, as the Police Commissioner is believed to have reported him to the Bar Council for breaching the Barristers' Code of Conduct.

Police would not comment on the investigation yesterday nor would Acting Det. Ch. Insp. Cardwell.

Mr. Richardson, of Juris Law Chambers, said: "In this climate of gun violence and the proliferation of real crime, the fact that the Bermuda Police and DI Cardwell have the time and resources to investigate a Facebook comment that I made is astonishing."

Bar Council president Kiernan Bell said she could not comment.

Mr. Richardson pleaded guilty to two counts of drug possession on March 31 and was given a three-year conditional discharge by Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo, avoiding a conviction that could have destroyed his legal career.