Former Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons claimed last night that Government had rewarded ?competence and integrity with dismissal? by sacking Bermuda College Board chairman Nalton Brangman.

Mr. Brangman received a letter from new Education Minister Neletha Butterfield last Thursday telling him that he was being relieved of his duties ? just nine months into what would normally be a three-year tenure.

The chairman had been conducting an inquiry into financial irregularities at the college ? including alleged perks enjoyed by college president Dr. Charles Green ? ordered by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Dr. Gibbons, who chaired that committee while Shadow Finance Minister, said:?The abrupt removal of Nalton Brangman as chairman of the Bermuda College Board before completing an investigation into allegations of financial irregularities at the school once again raises questions about the integrity of this Government to conduct the people?s business in an ethical manner.

?Mr. Brangman?s dismissal is not just a great loss to the college community but it leaves too many questions that the college and the Scott Government need to answer.?

Dr. Gibbons, who still sits on the PAC, said there was widespread acknowledgement that Mr. Brangman was moving quickly to get to the bottom of ?questionable financial practices and inappropriate use of taxpayer?s funds?.

He said: ?One can only conclude that Mr. Brangman was too diligent in the eyes of Government and his removal was a direct consequence of his efforts to clean up questionable financial practices that would have been an embarrassment to college President Dr. Charles Green, former Board chairman Raymond Tannock and the PLP Government.?

Dr. Green told this newspaper that any perk he has enjoyed while president ? including his membership of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club ? had been approved by the College Board.

He denies knowledge of any financial irregularities which could embarrass him, as does Sen. Tannock, who was Board chairman at the time of Dr. Green?s appointment in 2004.

Ms Butterfield has said her dismissal of Mr. Brangman is unrelated to the PAC inquiry and Mr. Brangman himself said he did not think there was a connection.

Dr. Gibbons said the PAC wanted answers to allegations that taxpayer dollars were paying for the Yacht Club membership and for ?excessive expenses? by Dr. Green.

?It was alleged that these expenses had not been approved by the College?s Board,? said Dr. Gibbons. ?In any event, they are strictly prohibited in Government?s own Financial Instructions for disbursement of taxpayer?s funds.?

He said questions also needed to be asked about ?lavish spending? on renovations for the College-owned house on the Stonington campus in which Dr. Green lives.

Dr. Gibbons said: ?The loss of Mr. Brangman?s strong leadership at a critical time for the College is unfortunate and demonstrates extremely poor judgement by the new Education Minister and Cabinet.?

He praised Mr. Brangman for his work at the College and added that he expected Government to replace him with a ?highly political appointee who would follow Government?s bidding rather than continue the transparency and public scrutiny required to restore confidence in the management of the College?.