A former Government architect is at the centre of a probe into alleged misuse of public funds.

Both the Police and the Auditor General are investigating Kyril Burrows in relation to the allegations, which centre on building contracts.

In addition, Government is also attempting to evict Mr. Burrows from land in Southampton where it is alleged that he built commercial property and storage rooms illegally.

Mr. Burrows, 46, of Southampton, is understood to be contesting the attempt to evict him.

He is currently on Police bail in relation to the building contract probe, which is understood to have been ongoing for many months. He is due to report back to the Police later this month.

Civil Service head Kenneth Dill told this newspaper in August 2009: "I am aware of a matter which I personally brought to the attention of the Police and by extension, the Auditor General's Department regarding the questionable activities of a former civil servant."

He did not mention Mr. Burrows by name, but this newspaper understands the comment was a reference to the investigation into him.

He is currently involved in several civil court actions under the Companies Act 1981, dating from August 2009. In them, he is suing Compass Holdings Ltd., Eldon Binns, Tyrone Sampson and All Foods Ltd.

Mr. Burrows was project architect for the new Berkeley Institute senior secondary school. In July 2003, he was promoted from that position to building manager within a different area of the ministry.

In 2008, he graduated from the Leadership by Design course, designed to prepare civil servants for permanent secretary and director positions within Government.

Asked about the status of the investigation and the nature of the allegations, a Police spokesman replied: "Police are investigating a 46-year-old Southampton man and he is currently on Police bail. The investigation is in the very early stages and it would not be appropriate to comment on the nature of the complaint at this stage."

Mr. Burrows' lawyer, Richard Horseman, of Wakefield Quin, declined to comment on the Police investigation, but said of the ongoing civil court proceedings: "We can confirm that Wakefield Quin is representing Mr. Burrows in five separate actions in which Mr. Burrows is seeking to establish his rights of ownership in four separate companies. Mr. Burrows commenced these actions on August 4, 2009. Mr. Tyrone Sampson and Mr. Eldon (Toby) Binns are defendants in these matters. They too were former employees of the Ministry of Works and Engineering.

"They have denied that Mr. Burrows was a shareholder in the companies, despite Mr. Burrows having in his possession written resolutions signed by Mr. Binns and Mr. Sampson dated February 20, 2009 issuing Mr. Burrows 3,000 shares in each of the companies.

"It has been alleged that Mr. Burrows has forged these resolutions, but an independent handwriting expert has opined that there is strong evidence that the signatures of Mr. Binns and Mr. Sampson are genuine. The Supreme Court is being called upon to determine these issues, and we hope to have the matter before the court in a very short time.

"Since commencing the court proceedings in August 2009, Mr. Burrows has been the victim of sustained and systematic allegations of wrongdoing by various parties." He added: "Mr. Burrows looks forward to meeting any and all of his accusers in court."

A court date is yet to be set.

Auditor General, Heather Jacobs-Matthews said: "I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation relating to the Ministry of Works and Engineering." She declined to comment further.

Major Dill said: "It would not be prudent for me to comment."