Services have relented and allowed The Royal Gazette to inspect the company's register of directors and shareholders.

The newspaper took legal action against Quorum Bermuda Ltd. after it obstructed reporters no less than five times when they visited or called the office to speak to the corporate administrators in order to view the registers.

On Friday, the Gazette's attorney Kieron Unwin wrote to Quorum informing it that a failure to comply with the law in making public the information would result in legal proceedings.

Yesterday, Bruce Murray, managing director of Quorum, responded and immediately sent a copy of both the shareholders' and directors' registers.

The key shareholder in the security firm is former UBP Cabinet minister John Irving Pearman, who purchased 10,000 shares in June of 1998.

President of Guardwell Roland Pearman owns 9,000 shares, purchased in 1996 and 1998.

The other shareholders are former tennis professional Leslie Lynch, with 3,300 shares, and William L Johnson and Charles C Scott, who both own 5,000 shares.

The three directors of the company are Mr. Pearman, vice president and secretary Lincoln Outerbridge, and Robert Ray.

A veil of secrecy was thrown around Guardwell after the electronic media claimed "nepotism'' had played a part in it being awarded the $3 million airport security contract by Government.

That claim was categorically denied by Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown, who said he had had no dealings in any business connected with his Ministry.

Mr. Roland Pearman has repeatedly refused to comment, and at one stage would not even give his name to The Royal Gazette .

Last Friday, he said he had no comment to make, and said "you can take me to court, if you want to'' when he was asked to explain why the registers were not being made public.

Security firm relents, opens company register Since the end of April, any attempt by the Press to read the registers was stymied by Quorum, who had instructed its receptionist to take messages for any query regarding Guardwell.

However, not one call or visit was returned.

When Mr. Murray contacted the newspaper's lawyer yesterday, he claimed that Quorum had not received a request to inspect the register until May 10 -- last Thursday.

The letter read: "As I have now been instructed by Guardwell Securities Services Ltd to supply these registers to you, copies are enclosed.'' Last night, Editor of The Royal Gazette Bill Zuill said he could not understand what the problem had been.

He said: "Obviously, we are pleased that Quorum and Guardwell have agreed to open their registers. The public can now draw whatever conclusions they will from the shareholders.

"I still don't understand what the reluctance was.''