Police have criticised the leaking of confidential papers to a television news station — but are still refusing to say whether they will investigate the matter.

The documents concerning a corruption inquiry involving Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) were passed to ZBM and footage of them was shown on a news bulletin a week ago.

They contained allegations about theft from the Government quango, accusations from investigators that former Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Kulandra Ratneser failed to properly review evidence and named people involved in the investigation but never charged with any offence.

Mr. Ratneser told The Royal Gazette earlier this week that the Police Commissioner should be seriously concerned about the leak and urged that an investigation be launched. "If you are being investigated and you are still an innocent person you don't want things about that investigation being put out into the public domain," he said. "That's a very serious thing, apart from being a criminal offence."

Bermuda Police Service has issued a statement saying it is "disappointed with the decision of any unethical Police officer who might leak any information to the press as there are a set of procedures and protocols in place to address any concerns that they might have".

The statement continued: "The legislated responsibility of the Bermuda Police Service is to carry out investigations into alleged wrongdoings and it is the decision of the Department of Public Prosecutions whether or not to prosecute."

A Police spokesman added yesterday: "The Bermuda Police Service is not in a position to comment on whether an investigation into the matter will be conducted or not at this stage."