After the conviction of Terrence Smith, the furore over the BHC investigation died down only to be blown wide open by fresh allegations made in the Mid-Ocean News about key Government figures including Ewart Brown.

Based on leaked Police files, the paper alleged Dr. Brown and Nelson Bascome were paid consultants of construction boss — and now prospective Progressive Labour Party candidate — Zane DeSilva who had been hired to build Dr. Brown's house in AP Owen Road while simultaneously being employed by the BHC to build 20 houses at Southside.

The paper reported that Dr. Brown wrote to Mr. DeSilva in March 2001 confirming that his company — Bermuda Healthcare Services — would provide Mr. DeSilva's firm with "consulting services" with special attention paid to the health aspects of handling asbestos and other hazardous materials.

However the newspaper said the cheques were to be made to Dr. Brown personally with evidence the money was paid, but no evidence work was done.

And the paper alleged Mr. DeSilva had a plan to ship 300 containers of asbestos waste to Cuba and rake in a $1.6 million profit.

Initials on a rough business plan indicate 'EB' and 'NB' would get a five percent cut — or $100,000 each, on the deal — initials Police believed represented Ewart Brown and Nelson Bascome.

The paper also ran a summary of a Police interview with Mr. Dill in which he alleged that outstanding costs for the building of Dr. Brown's house were buried in the Southside project resulting in that project being $430,000 overdrawn.

Mr. Dill also claimed there was a rumour that Mr. DeSilva had paid for a house in Fairylands for Mr. Bascome, a woman and their love child.

He claimed Mr. DeSilva could go over his head to get payments simply by calling Mr. Bascome.

The new revelations in the Mid-Ocean also said Police probed other PLP figures and their BHC involvement including:

* The relationship between former Jennifer Smith and Dale Young, the wife of painter Paul Young, who was paid more than $800,000 through BHC contracts. Mrs. Young was also involved in the sale of Dr. Brown's Flatts property to the BHC.

* Dame Jennifer's use of a multimillion dollar Tucker's Point condo that she could allegedly not afford on her salary as Premier.

* Allegations that then-Housing Minister Nelson Bascome applied for a mortgage with BHC, and furthermore abused his position by ordering BHC boss Raymonde Dill to award BHC contracts to certain builders.

* Allegations that then Telecommunications Minister Renée Webb had renovations to her Ferry Reach home carried out by Parliamentary colleague and builder Dennis Pitcher, allegedly paid for by the BHC.

* The awarding of BHC contracts to former Government backbencher and builder Arthur Pitcher.

* The awarding of BHC contracts to former Government backbencher El James.

The documents also list a number of allegations against a number of BHC staff member, including:

* One contractor was offered a $4-million contract provided they gave a $100,000 'kick back'.

* One property manager purchased a 'derelict' house and sold it on to the BHC on the same day — netting him an $80,000 profit.

* A property manager employed to manage a $5 million low income housing project had a $28,000 Jacuzzi installed at his private home. The Jacuzzi was allegedly installed by a company awarded a BHC contract.

* One contractor earned $500,000 cleaning water tanks.

* Contracts were awarded "well above the market value".

* Police records showed that a second arm of the inquiry focused on nine contractors alleged to have gained financially by their association with Government and the BHC.

Labelled 'The Magnificent Nine' by detectives, the contractors included Island Construction owner Mr. DeSilva.

A friend of the Premier's, Mr. DeSilva is set to fight the marginal Southampton East Central seat, currently held by the UBP's David Dodwell, at the next General Election.