The Opposition has called for an independent inquiry into the issuing of cable broadcast licences after The Royal Gazette revealed yet another lawsuit could be brewing.

CableVision has now become the third company to consider legal action against the Government over the decision to give World on Wireless (WOW) permission to launch a 114 channel service next year while revelations have emerged over one of WOW's bosses.

CableVision, which currently enjoys a monopoly in the industry, joins Hardell Cable, which claims it already is entitled to a licence, and SGC Ventures, which lost out to WOW at last year's public hearings, in either seriously considering, or instigating, proceedings against the Department of Telecommunications.

Shadow Minister Maxwell Burgess, who called on Minister Renee Webb to be fired if she is found to be lying over the affair, has now called for an independent inquiry.

“The Government is asleep at the wheel on this,” said Mr. Burgess, who called for Ms Webb's head in the House of Assembly last Friday.

“We need an independent inquiry into the process that led to WOW being issued a licence. It is not good enough any longer for a Premier who considers himself the master of PR to allow this to go on.

“Whatever has gone on that is prompting so many potentially multi-million dollar lawsuits needs to be aired in public.

“The Government needs to mitigate its potential for legal action and the community needs to be allowed to see exactly what has gone on here.”

As well as expressing concern over the legal wrangles that have been created, he is also worried that William Craig, one of the men behind WOW, has been accused of being “responsible for one of the largest and most brazen thefts of intellectual property ever committed in the United States”.

Canadian Mr. Craig's Internet company iCraveTV had to shut down its website following an out-of-court settlement with major US broadcasters in 2000. It was accused of theft and unauthorised performances of copyrighted film and television programs by the Motion Picture Association of America.

“As an Island that is keen to do business in the international marketplace we have to be careful that due diligence is always shown,” he continued.

“We have to be seen to be pristine in all our dealings.”

He added that he thought Hardell should be given the licence that he believes it has been promised and given the opportunity to launch its service “as soon as possible”.

Hardell director Corey Butterfield told The Royal Gazette that he welcomed the call from the Opposition for an inquiry.

“To be forced to deal with this in the Supreme Court is a very expensive operation,” he said last night.

“All we want is this to be handled in public so everyone can see a transparent and open process. We believe we are entitled to a licence and are happy for this to be proved to be the case through whatever means are necessary.”

Premier Alex Scott told The Royal Gazette last night: “It would be unwise for me to comment publicly on this until I have had a full briefing with the Minister (Renee Webb).”

Ms Webb said she would be making a Press statement today on all the “misinformation that has been printed in the papers”.