David Middleton has met with a top Government Minister and the Deputy Governor in his quest for answers the failed prosecution case surrounding his daughter's murder.

Mr. Middleton, who is due to fly back to Canada today, met with Labour and Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox and Deputy Governor Tim Gurney yesterday, in a bid to make the authorities sit up and take notice.

He said he wanted the message to strike home to the Premier and ensure some changes are made in the justice system, in the wake of the furore surrounding his daughter Rebecca's murder trial.

"I told Paula Cox we haven't seen any changes, people can give all sorts of excuses, but until things happen they are just that,'' he said.

"The people of Bermuda lost big the other day, there is an opportunity while everything is fresh to resolve the justice system now.

"Ms Cox was supportive but noncommittal, she didn't want to make any promises. She was very, very sympathetic and very concerned about what has happened here.'' Mr. Middleton, who met with Ms Cox with friend Rick Meens, earlier in the day had a discussion with Mr. Gurney in the absence of Governor Thorold Masefield, who was ill.

Of the meeting, he said they were keen to let him know that they weren't about to let the matter die, and that they were hopeful that the appeal against the decision of Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux to direct the jury to find Justis Smith not guilty of premeditated murder would be heard quickly.

"He said he was going to keep an eye on it,'' said Mr. Middleton.

Rick Meens added: "He was very concerned about the situation, he appreciated what had happened and wants to see justice over this.

"These meetings were about keeping the process going, we have spent two and a half years getting promise after promise,'' he said. "We are looking to get the appeal done, get this back in court so this doesn't happen again.'' Mr. Meens said although it was important that people remembered the vicious killing of Rebecca in July 1996, he stressed there were many wider issues that had been identified as a result of the failed prosecution.

"This isn't just about Rebecca, it is about all the children who have passed, it is about human beings. We are in a position where we can raise concerns about what happened,'' said Mr. Meens.

Mr. Middleton said one of the things he had seen in Bermuda were people who were good at pointing the finger at others when things went wrong, but not getting on with getting things done.

But he said he was heartened by the feedback he and Rick had received from people on the streets, including strangers, who had stopped them to express their sympathy and anger at what happened.

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