Bermuda Cricket Board officials were remaining tight-lipped yesterday in the wake of allegations that unconstitutional amendments were made to Board policy at last April's annual general meeting

However, Shadow Sports Minister Cole Simons told The Royal Gazette he was very disturbed over the latest controversy to rock cricket's governing body.

Sources present at April's meeting alleged that several unconstitutional changes were made to Board policy.

It was claimed that under section ten and by-law 21 of the existing constitution, no votes - other than that of officers - should have taken place. It was also alleged that BCB treasurer Neil Speight was serving on the executive illegally as a non-Bermudian - something that, if confirmed, is in direct violation of section Six C of the constitution.

Alterations to the Board's official title and the actual voting process were also alleged to have been unconstitutional.

"I am very alarmed to hear of this," said Simons yesterday. "That's why I think that it's important that if they (BCB) can't resolve it themselves then they get assistance from somebody to get this matter resolved because a lot of people are involved and impacted by it. It's only the beginning of the cricket season and Government is subsidising funds donated to this cricket board of control."

Simons suggested that an arbitration route may be a way to resolve the matter, which according one source, could spill over into the courts.

"An independent party needs to look into this matter, either the Minister of Sport (Randy Horton) or a lawyer. But I will be meeting with the president (Reggie Pearman) next week.

"Someone has to sit down and be an arbiter to ensure that things get back on track because there are far too many things here that are at stake. We need to ensure that public funds are being well spent and that programmes are being run effectively and efficiently."

Simons said he was even more disturbed because as local cricket's governing body, it was the BCB's responsibility to adhere to the constitution.

"If we can't get the sport's governing body (doing things) right, then how can we get the affiliates right?" he asked. "So the governing body needs to take a leadership role and basically get past this crisis and if they need help then seek the help from the various parties to move on. Even though they have not followed it (constitution), it still has to be adopted by the members and adhered to."