British Army officials were unimpressed with how the Bermuda Regiment trains for its role following a recent exercise, has learned.

And they were also critical of the standard of the 400-strong battalion?s equipment, saying that half of the Regiment?s vehicles and signals equipment were out of action when the Fitness for Role exercise was carried out in November, sources told .

The officials, based in the US, the UK and Northern Ireland, were also unhappy with ?command and control?, or how orders are developed and passed down through the ranks.

But they were impressed with morale, weapons handling and shooting range safety. Governor Sir John Vereker refused to comment on the report, which he arranged as Commander in Chief of the Regiment at the request of the Defence Board.

And Defence Department administrator Larry Burchall also refused to comment, except to say that no decision had been taken on whether it had been made public.

The Fitness for Role exercise, which coincided with the Duke of York?s visit to Bermuda for the Opening of Parliament, was organised as part of an overall review of the Regiment and its roles being conducted by the Defence Board. The Regiment?s major role is to support the Police in internal security situations.

Since Hurricane Emily struck Bermuda in 1987, it has also developed a disaster relief role both in Bermuda and in the Caribbean, most recently providing hurricane relief in the Cayman Islands and Grenada.

Its other role is ceremonial. Minister of Public Safety Randy Horton announced the Fitness for Role assessment on October 18 saying it was designed to ensure the Regiment operated at an optimum level and was able to respond to ?internal turmoil, both anticipated and unforeseen?.

The Royal Gazette also understands that senior Regiment officers were unhappy that the Fitness for Role review coincided with the Duke of York?s visit when soldiers were fully engaged in their preparations for the Opening of Parliament ceremony and the Remembrance Day parade on November 11.

Mr. Burchall said: ?I have no comment except the Report was dealt with and goes to those who commissioned it and they will decide whether or not it will be released.?