Police are trying to find out if the authorities in Britain can take action against former officer Philip Swift over "defamatory'' remarks he has made about the force on his UK-based Internet site.

And they have launched an investigation in Bermuda to find out if any action can be taken after Island businessman Tony Brannon's website Bermuda.com was "hijacked'' and re-sent with information from Mr. Swift's controversial Bermudapolice.com site. Mr. Swift, a disgruntled former narcotics department officer who was constructively dismissed ten years ago, set up the website three years ago.

It contains allegations of corruption in the Bermuda Police Service and claims about drug importation and dealing.

He hit the headlines last week after The Royal Gazette revealed that Mr.

Brannon's 12,000 circulation Bermuda.com Internet newsletter had been tampered with and re-sent, containing allegations of Police corruption from the Bermudapolice.com website. Mr. Swift has apologised to Mr. Brannon and pointed out there is no connection between his site and Mr. Brannon's.

While not admitting responsibility for hijacking Mr. Brannon's website, Mr.

Swift stated: "We suspect an unfinished template has been inadvertently sent to subscribers.'' Mr. Brannon is hoping Police here can prosecute Mr. Swift for alleged plagiarism and theft of copyright. His website's format was retained in the newsletter put out by Bermudapolice.com, his name was included at the bottom as publisher, and an advert for Trimingham's was also re-sent on the doctored format.

Trimingham's is also exploring legal action over the unauthorised use of its name and has disassociated itself with the Bermudapolice.com website.

A Police statement yesterday said the Department of Public Prosecutions on the Island has determined Police have no jurisdiction over websites operated outside of Bermuda.

"The DPP has provided the Service with information that will assist in providing options in the United Kingdom, and these options are being explored,'' the Police statement said.

"There are Police investigations underway to determine whether or not there is legal recourse for alleged tampering with a Bermuda-based website.

"Police are aware of the website and the defamatory remarks made by Mr. Swift that have been levelled against the Service for almost three years now.

"The Service has already gone on record as noting our acquaintance with Mr.

Swift's extreme dissatisfaction and aggravation with the Service as it operated more than ten years ago.

"He continues, however, to assert his claims of Police and judicial improprieties on an annual basis, and usually around this time of year.

"This is the second year he has utilised the Internet to undermine the service.

"Legal issues of the use/abuse of the Swift UK-based website have been examined by the DPP which has determined that there is no legal recourse for a website that is operated outside of the Bermuda jurisdiction.

"We can only reiterate that while any allegation of corruption is viewed and treated seriously, the very nature of Police work demands that a full investigation be conducted on more than disgruntlement, bitterness and disappointment.

"At the time of Mr. Swift's official complaint, an inquiry was launched and remains open to this day subject to new information becoming known, which we again invite Mr. Swift to produce.'' Mr. Brannon told The Royal Gazette he had been "spammed'' by around 500 e-mail messages a day in German since his newsletter was altered.

He has handed over all correspondence between himself and Mr. Swift, and the altered newsletters to Police.

"What I would like to see is the Police doing something about it because they have a bigger stick than me. I'd like them to find out if he has committed an offence, and if he has, to prosecute him,'' he said. "I'd also like to know what the Department of Tourism thinks about this because the claims made about Bermuda are so negative and nasty.'' Director of Tourism Richard Calderon did not respond to a request for comment.