An apparent truce between the Premier and Governor may have averted a looming constitutional crisis — but Government remained on the attack last night over the Bermuda Housing Corporation scandal.

Attorney General Philip Perinchief and the Police last night sought to stop the media from publishing or airing further revelations from the Police investigation into the BHC scandal, just hours after Sen. Perinchief pledged to “protect the reputations of your public officials from further unfair attack” at a hastily called press conference just after 4 p.m. A closed hearing on the injunction application held before Chief Justice Richard Ground last night was adjourned until next week for further argument.

Sen. Perinchief spoke out just a few hours after the Foreign Office in London issued a joint statement from Sir John Vereker and Dr. Ewart Brown which appeared to be aimed at defusing public concern about an escalating row between the pair.

Dr. Brown warned the Governor in a televised address last Friday that Government would “suspend further business” with him if he did not ensure the source of a leaked Police dossier on a corruption probe into BHC was tracked down.

Yesterday’s statement said Scotland Yard was being brought in to investigate the leak and that the Premier had assured Sir John, who retires in October, his Government would continue to work with him.

Attempts to uncover the mole have already led to a raid by Police at Bermuda Broadcasting Company and a visit by senior officers to the offices of the Mid-Ocean News, sister paper of The Royal Gazette.

Justice Minister Sen. Perinchief told the media yesterday: “My chambers will employ all legal means to stop the Mid-Ocean News and any other publication from printing or speaking additional content from the stolen investigative documents. It is clearly dangerous to allow exonerated persons to have their names unfairly soiled and sullied.” He added: “I am hopeful our means to stop irresponsible reporting will be successful.”

The Attorney General, who would not answer questions from reporters after giving his statement, said Government planned to complain to the Broadcasting Commission about a television address made by Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley on the BHC stories on Wednesday evening, which he said was too long and included “prohibited” words.

Mr. Dunkley had said the public had a right to know the full extent to which senior Government members were involved in the scandal and whether the BHC investigation was properly handled.

Sen. Perinchief said: “The Opposition Leader characterised our system of law and order as inept, staffed by people who he thinks are incompetent. Why else would he say he questions the effectiveness of our criminal justice system?

“Why else would he ask questions investigators have already answered? Why else would he call for a Royal Commission to re-investigate a five year-old case? I am offended and I expect hundreds of our country’s police officers, prosecutors, and judges are likewise offended.”

The statement from the Governor and Premier said the two men met on Wednesday evening, at Sir John’s request, to share their concerns about the possible damage to the Island arising from the leak.

“The Governor assured the Premier, as he had done in a letter at the beginning of the week, that he deplored any unauthorised disclosure of correspondence between the Police Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions, and that an investigation would be pursued diligently. The Governor has advised the Commissioner of Police to seek outside assistance from Scotland Yard.

“The Premier assured the Governor that he and his Government intended to continue to collaborate with Government House, in the best interests of Bermuda, in accordance with their oaths of Ministerial office. The Governor and the Premier took the opportunity to reaffirm their joint commitment to working with the Bermuda Police Service in accordance with their respective responsibilities.”

Earlier in the day, the Premier attempted to dampen down claims of a looming constitutional crisis with a promise that his row with the Governor would soon be settled.

He told reporters in Hamilton - including a journalist from The Times in London — that the problems were “growing pains in a colonial environment”.

He said: “It won’t be long before this will be resolved and it won’t be all that exciting.”

Asked to address specific allegations relating to BHC, Dr. Brown replied: “No. This matter is being handled for the Government by the Attorney General.”

He described Mr. Dunkley’s comments on TV as “ridiculous and absurd”.

Dr. Brown was asked what he thought of international press interest in his stand-off with the Governor.

“I think that to a certain extent it’s sensationalised,” he replied.

“But, you know, Bermuda is a popular place and people, they hear of things happening here, (they) react to it.”