The United Bermuda Party last night called for the Auditor General to carry out an investigation into the running of the project to build a new Berkeley School.

UBP Leader Dr Grant Gibbons made the call after Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott claimed in the House of Assembly on Friday that an unnamed UBP candidate tried to induce a Works and Engineering officer to hand over documents about the project.

Mr. Scott said the candidate's alleged approach to the officer seeking documents about the school was "politically motivated" and if the officer had not be honest, "the new school project and the Government could have been compromised if not destabilised".

Mr. Scott said the officer and his wife had been approached by the same individual and told there was to be a Police investigation into the project and that he would be the fall-guy, but he could "save himself" if he handed over documents.

He said he had referred the matter to the Attorney General's department to see if any offence had been committed. Dr Gibbons said yesterday that in light of the many concerns about the project, including its financial management, the work schedule, and a bond for the school, Auditor General Larry Dennis, who is completing an investigation into scandal-hit Bermuda Housing Corporation, should carry out an inquiry.

He said: "It would be a good idea to have the Auditor General involved. The real question going through my head is: `If this project is being properly managed and there is nothing to hide, how could the release of documents compromise the Government, the project or anything else?'

"The reason this issue is coming up is because there are a lot of questions that Mr. Scott has not answered in the House, in terms of the work schedule, the financial management and the bond for the project."

Dr Gibbons suggested the timing of Mr. Scott's comments might be designed to "intimidate" civil servants who are thinking of exposing possible wrong-doing or mismanagement.

And he said Mr. Scott had a track record of making wild and unsubstantiated allegations about the UBP.

"As leader of the UBP, I would like to make it absolutely clear that the UBP expects the highest standards of personal conduct from those who represent or speak for the party," said Dr Gibbons.

"Candidates or representatives who do not meet these standards are not welcome within the UBP.

"It is important to remember, however, that Mr. Scott has made allegations that have not been proven to be true. Nor is it clear that any criminal act has been committed.

"Mr. Scott's allegations do raise a number of other questions that he should be expected to answer.

"Given the allegations swirling around Bermuda Housing Corporation, is the timing of Mr. Scott's statement intended to deflect attention from the Government's own problems, or indeed, intimidate those within the Civil Service who may be thinking about exposing possible wrong-doing or mismanagement.

"By raising this matter in the House of Assembly, is Mr. Scott trying to put political pressure on the Police and the Department of Public Prosecutions?

"We note that this is not the first time Mr. Scott has made extraordinary and unsubstantiated accusations.

"Just three days before the 1998 general election, for example, Mr. Scott claimed that the United Bermuda Party had ties to gangland bosses and organised crime.

"Needless to say, Mr. Scott never provided any information or documentation to substantiate these wild claims.

"If these current allegations are not proven, we hold Mr. Scott directly responsible for character assassination of a blatant and vicious nature.

"If these allegations are proven, the public can be assured the United Bermuda Party will treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves and take appropriate steps to resolve the matter internally."