There was no attempt to hide details of a dispute at the Bermuda Housing Corporation involving a manager alleged to have taken an unethical advantage of her position to try and buy a leasehold from householder who had fallen behind with his mortgage repayments.

That?s according to Minister for Works and Engineering and Housing, Senator David Burch, who has spoken out to clarify his Ministry?s position following a front page story in last Friday?s

The newspaper reported that a former BHC mortgage manager had initially been fired and then given a ?golden handshake? severance deal after the board of directors voted on a compromise deal.

Reacting to the story, UBP MP Grant Gibbons called for Sen. Burch?s resignation for ?his clear and complicit role in this outrageous cover-up scandal.?

The allegations revolve around a property in Cedar Park Road, Devonshire and were said to have occurred between June and August last year.

Rebutting the story, Sen. Burch said in a statement the BHC board ?operated with considerable transparency and took every step to inform all those who needed to be informed, including the Auditor General.?

He said: ?In fact the Auditor General was informed of the proposed actions, which were accurately recorded in the minutes ? which upon audit, the Auditor General would have access to.?

Sen. Burch also noted that the action was taken with advice from legal counsel and in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement between the BHC and the Bermuda Public Services Union.