Government has complained that a report in Friday?s that former Bermuda Regiment Commander Eddie Lamb is about to be appointed the new Prison Commissioner-designate is premature because no official decision has yet been made.

Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Robert Horton said: ?The selection process is ongoing with a recommendation to be considered by the Public Service Commission in the very near future.?

The Ministry claimed it reacted to the story having taken a number of calls from concerned applicants who are awaiting official news of who is to be appointed. However has been told by a number of sources both within the prison service and from without that Mr. Lamb?s name will go the Public Services Commission. Other media were also reporting last week that Mr. Lamb was in the frame to replace Hubert Dean who is retiring.

Mr. Horton said an announcement on the successful applicant would be made ?very soon?. He added: ?It is our hope and expectation an announcement will be made before Mr. Dean?s departure on July 31.?