FORMER Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert (pictured)<\p>is calling for a full inquiry into how Harvest Investments is spending Government funds. And he is also warning religious groups and businesses to steer clear of the company until a full probe has been completed.

After hearing of various bank transactions that the company carried out in the course of one month, Mr. Furbert declared that "things are going too far".

He said he was tempted to contact police with the findings — and that, at the very least, the Auditor General should conduct an inquiry. He also pledged that, should the UBP win the next General Election, it would insist on an inquiry into both FBT and "other issues".

"I am calling for a full investigation and in the meantime Government must stop paying out any more money to Andre Curtis until we know where that money has gone," Mr. Furbert said.

"Things are going too far — there's a lack of accountability, integrity and trust. The contract between the Tourism Ministry and Harvest clearly states that Harvest must perform certain duties before it is paid.

"It has clearly failed to do that. There is absolutely no evidence that it has done a single thing for faith-based tourism and yet the money is coming in. And the question is, where is it going?

"When I first heard that Andre Curtis was involved in this my antennas immediately went up. But because I'm close to the church I wanted to give it time to see if it would work.

"We have to make sure that the churches are protected and I would advise any church or business not to get involved with Mr. Curtis until this whole matter is cleared up."

Mr. Furbert also took a swipe at Premier Ewart Brown, arguing that, as Tourism Minister, he should take full responsibility if Government funds were being creamed off by the company.

Mr. Furbert first raised his concerns in the House of Assembly last month, claiming that no details had been provided on how up to $600,000 of Government cash had been spent — and that there was no evidence that company had succeeded in organising any events. He also questioned if Mr. Curtis was being rewarded for his work as campaign chairman for Dr. Brown.

But Dr. Brown hit back, describing Mr. Furbert's comments as an "unprovoked assault" on a project that was run in "an honest, business-like manner".

He also said the remarks were "outrageous", "alarmist" and came from "a confused former leader of the Opposition".

The Faith-Based Tourism programme was launched last year when Dr. Brown confirmed that a series of spiritual-themed events would be held in late summer.

But while a handful of events did take place in August and September, they included already established festivals such as the Bermuda Sonfest which has been organised for the past six years by the Christian-based production and promotions company Love Alive Ministries. Another festival, Taking it to the Streets, was hosted by the New Testament Church of God Glory Temple and sponsored by the Department of Tourism.

In the latest edition of Tourism Now, the Ministry's bi-monthly newsletter, no faith-based events are listed between now and the end of October.

And the Ministry's own web site only lists one faith-based event — a women's conference due to be held next February.

When contacted by the Mid-Ocean News, organiser Rev. Marilyn Lambe insisted that neither Harvest nor Faith-Based Tourism was involved in any way with the event.

Nevertheless, FBT claims in its sponsorship programme that "on a monthly basis we invite influential visionaries from all over the world to give talks and facilitate discussions regarding topics such as crime, ethics, and morality with 120 spiritual leaders.

"We also partner with international faith groups to host local events that strive to bring together music, arts, dance, family festivals and other inspirational activities.

"Last year some of the stellar quest speakers and performers participating in these events include Rev. Bernice King, Richard Smallwood and Isreal and Newbreed."

Th> Mid-Ocean News understands that musical acts Smallwood, Isreal and Newbreed did visit Bermuda last year — all as part of the Bermuda Sonfest line-up organised by Love Alive Ministries.

Ironically, that music festival will not be being held this year, organisers confirmed this week. When asked why, they said they would prefer not to comment.

Rev. Bernice King also paid a visit to the island last September — to attend the Taking it to the Streets festival hosted by the New Testament Church of God Glory Temple.

Mr. Curtis made headlines last October when, as head of the religious group United by Faith, he organised a multi-denominational service at the National Sports Centre.

Around 30 per cent of the island's churches were understood to have boycotted the event because of fears that it would target homosexuals B> expressing the view that the Human Rights Act does not need to be altered to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

That event was "in no way connected" to FBT, Mr. Curtis claimed at the time. Nevertheless, it prompted Anglican Bishop Ewen Ratteray to remark that, although originally an excellent idea, FBT "would appear to have lost its primary purpose and has taken on a totally different agenda".

In April Mr. Curtis was in the news again when he opposed plans for a cruise ship carrying gay passengers to visit Bermuda. The cruise, organised by television host Rosie O'Donnell, eventually selected an alternative destination.

And last week Mr. Curtis came in for further criticism when it was alleged he had approached companies seeking donations which he pledged to pass on to ten different churches.

It was claimed that Mr. Curtis highlighted his political connections and implied that access to the Premier could be facilitated through donations. His political links are also highlighted in FBT's sponsorship programme, as is the fact that he employs a full-time administrative assistant and an accountant.

It is not known whether his staff are on the Harvest payroll or paid out of Government funds.

When the Mid-Ocean News telephoned the company last Thursday, a receptionist confirmed we were calling Harvest. When the newspaper phoned again on Friday — after the story had broke — the receptionist announced that we were through to FBT.

When questioned during a third telephone call on Monday, it was confirmed by a gentleman answering the telephone that Harvest and FBT were operating out of the same office and essentially the same company.

Furbert calls for full inquiry