Government hit back at Opposition allegations it has failed to keep the public informed about the ongoing investigation into the Bermuda Housing Corporation scandal.

A statement from Acting Health Minister Lt. Col. David Burch said the public the Police must be allowed to proceed with their investigation without interference and accused UBP critics of "mischief making".

"The Bermuda Housing Corporation investigation must be able to proceed unhampered and without any interference, or even the perception of political interference or bias," Senator Burch said.

"Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. Accordingly, I find it curious and extraordinary that the Opposition seem to be muddying the waters by suggesting that the Government should interfere and intervene before the investigation has been concluded."

UBP Leader Dr. Grant Gibbons said the Opposition is looking for clarity on BHC rather than muddying the waters. BHC has been under investigation since March when allegations that corruption and mismanagement were rife within the Government quango were first raised in Parliament by Opposition MP Michael Dunkley.

Shortly after, the Premier asked Auditor General Larry Dennis to conduct a full investigation. Mr. Dennis assembled a team of seven investigators to look into the scandal and was to report the findings to the House in May but, instead passed a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. A Police investigation is currently underway but is expected to drag on for many months.

Since the Police launched their investigation, little information has been made public about the scandal.

In the past two weeks, however, two key BHC officers - general manager Raymonde Dill and property officer Terrence Smith - were sacked re-igniting Opposition calls for more information.

Sen. Burch said complaints that Government has not done enough to inform the public are "grossly inaccurate", adding: "It would be premature to make a statement at this time concerning the investigation into alleged improprieties with the BHC before the criminal investigation has been concluded.

"However, it should be noted that this Government, through the Premier and the Minister of Health and Family Services, did initially request the assistance of the Auditor General to conduct an investigation.

"This Government appointed interim management and, as the substantive Minister has already reported, better processes and controls have been initiated and implemented so that the system of controls can be improved even while the investigation continues."

He added: "I urge the Opposition to cease and desist their mischief making tactics as this does nothing to help the process. They are well aware that everyone, except themselves, agrees that nothing more should be said until the Police investigation is completed."

But Dr. Gibbons said last night: "Its clear the PLP are hiding behind the Police investigation. We understand there may be information about criminal activities that can't be revealed at this point because of the investigation.

"But the PLP are in charge and clearly things can be revealed - at least changes in the management or new processes set up - to ensure mismanagement doesn't reoccur and that the taxpayers' money is protected."