Shadow Justice Minister John Barritt yesterday dismissed an internal investigation into allegations about corruption surrounding Bermuda Housing Corporation as "too little, too late".

Mr. Barritt said Housing Minister David Burch's probe into allegations raised last week by the Mid-Ocean News highlighted how an in-depth, independent investigation was needed into the whole BHC affair.

Asked for a response to Lt. Col. Burch's comments over the Mid-Ocean story, Mr. Barritt told a press conference yesterday: "There was an indication that an investigation had been done — an internal investigation. It underscored the fact that there needs to be a thorough investigation that isn't internal.

"People want to know what happened with the funds from BHC during that period of time. What happened that led to the write-off of $8 million?

"One hopes that the Auditor General will pick this up and give the public a full explanation of what happened."

Lt. Col. Burch had said in a press conference on Thursday: "I indicated a week ago that I would launch an investigation into the scurrilous allegations contained in the Mid-Ocean News.

"Let me state at the outset that the allegations, approximately eight of them, contained in the Mid-Ocean News are pure fabrication and complete lies."

The Mid-Ocean News yesterday printed that it stands by its story and has no plans to bow to Lt. Col. Burch's demand for an apology.

Mr. Barritt also told the press conference the BHC affair showed the need for good governance.

Regarding accountability within the PLP's platform, Mr. Barritt said: "I read through all the pages and I looked for the plan, how they are going to provide for this? I found nothing that covered it.

"The UBP does have a plan so that there is integrity in public office. The BHC has underscored the need for a system where it happens as a matter of course, where it isn't a big deal to find out what's happened to public funds with regard to public officials.

"That is something which is part and parcel of the UBP's commitment in providing good governance."