The father of murdered Canadian teenager Rebecca Middleton has accused Government of trying to sweep a report into serious crime under the carpet by repeatedly putting it off for debate.

David Middleton, whose 17-year-old daughter was brutally raped, tortured and murdered while on holiday in Bermuda, said he could not understand why a report written last September had still not been publicly discussed.

And he said it seemed as though Government was deliberately trying to put the whole issue off.

A Commission of Inquiry into the investigation and prosecution of serious crime on the Island was held throughout August of last year following an outcry over the handling of Rebecca's death.

She was murdered in July 1996, but to this day, nobody has been convicted of her murder, despite two men being arrested who were believed to be responsible.

Both the Police and prosecutors involved, including the now Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Khamisi Tokunbo, were heavily criticised over their involvement.

However, throughout the $250,000 inquiry, nobody accepted responsibility for any wrong-doing in the case, which has constantly been a source of annoyance to Becky's family.

Mr. Middleton, who lives in Belleville, Ontario, said failing to discuss the report was adding insult to injury.

And he was backed in his concern by members of the United Bermuda Party.

He said: "I am going to be very interested to know what they do with this report. So far, they have done nothing.

"Government is still dragging its feet over the whole affair. This inquiry was held at massive expense to the people of Bermuda -- I think discussing the results should be a priority. When is it going to be discussed? "I believe they tried to shove Becky's death under the carpet and think they are probably trying to do the same now.'' He said the inquiry was held in August, and the 100-page report and 60 recommendations written in September. It was then handed out to the Attorney General's Chambers, Police, and the DPP in October, and finally released to the public at the very beginning of November.

However, he said it will be April this weekend and the issue has still not been discussed by MPs in the House, despite being tabled weeks ago.

Insult to injury And as the House is adjourned until May 18, it is possible that the report will not be debated until June or July. Government has only said it will debate it during the next session, which runs up to the summer recess.

Mr. Middleton added: "It is going to be almost a year before this issue is raised. What on Earth was the point of having an inquiry? "I don't think we got any answers out of the inquiry, anyway. It was deliberately set up so that nobody would delve too closely into Becky's death.

"As a result, we got no answers, nobody admitted responsibility, and many of the people involved are still in their jobs, some have even been promoted.

"What am I supposed to think? I still believe we should have had an inquiry just into this one case. I will always think that.'' The Royal Gazette has been unable to find out why the report has still not been discussed in Parliament.

It was tabled some weeks ago by backbencher and former Assistant Police Commissioner Wayne Perinchief, but has been repeatedly adjourned.

Yesterday, Minister for Labour and Home Affairs Paula Cox was off the Island, her Director Robert Horton failed to return calls, and Mr. Perinchief said he did not know why it had been postponed so many times.

He said he took directions from Ms Cox, but said the Premier would ultimately decide when it was debated.

Mr. Perinchief added: "It will definitely be discussed during the next session...

"...it is not going to be shoved under the carpet. Most of it (the recommendations) will be implemented in due course.'' However, Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley said he believed Government was deliberately trying to put the issue off.

And he said he had the same concerns as Mr. Middleton.

Mr. Dunkley said: "I have to believe that Government is trying not to discuss it for as long as they can so they can say they have addressed the issues. But it is simply not acceptable.

"The UBP have been prohibited from discussing it. When we think back to the time when the inquiry was conducted, the community was most concerned about some of the reports.

"Any kudos I could have given Government for holding the inquiry, I have to now take away. It appears that we spent a lot of money on a report, but we are not going to deal with it.

"If Government wants to try to sweep it under the carpet -- it won't happen.

"We have to live and learn from our mistakes. It appears that we are trying to live and cover up our mistakes.'' Earlier this year, Commissioner of Police Jean-Jacques Lemay said senior officers were studying the recommendations regarding Police, and said he was waiting for an update.