Deputy Opposition leader Michael Dunkley has told of his ?disgust? at Government?s refusal to say whether it has reached a settlement with sacked Berkeley construction firm Pro-Active Management Systems.

Beverle Lottimore, the Government?s Director of Communication, confirmed this week that the Premier would not reveal to the public whether the arbitration process between the two parties was complete or whether a deal had been struck.

Asked to comment on the matter by , she said: ?No, absolutely not.?

She added: ?The arbitrator conducting that dispute has had both parties agree that there will be no comment. I can?t speak to it at all. Both parties have agreed that they will not discuss the matter publicly.?

Mr. Dunkley said the United Bermuda Party was ?incredulous? that Government could be potentially spending taxpayers? dollars in such a way ?without telling anyone what?s going on?.

The Mid-Ocean News reported last Friday that Pro-Active, which was seeking compensation for what it alleged was wrongful dismissal from the trouble-hit Berkeley senior secondary school project, has reached a behind-closed-doors deal with the Government.

Sources have told that newspaper that the company is likely to receive more than $9 million. One anonymous source said all sub-contractors owed money by Pro-Active would be paid for their work and Government would also have to pay the bill for legal costs.

The Berkeley project has been dogged by controversy and is now running three years late and $50 million over budget.

Mr. Dunkley said: ?The Berkeley senior secondary school project has been so poorly handled by this Government since the day it began and now it continues.

?Probably the best word that comes to mind is disgust. We don?t think it?s appropriate that they won?t answer questions. The Government is responsible for tax payers dollars and they have to be responsible for the fiscal prudence of those dollars.

?It is not their money. There is a responsibility to tell the taxpayer how they spend their dollars.?

He added: ?I can?t believe anyone in that position would not come out with a clear explanation. It?s been behind closed doors and it?s not acceptable.?

Attempts by to contact Pro-Active have been unsuccessful.