The man who was arrested during the probe into the leaked Bermuda Housing Corporation documents has been awarded a CBE.

Former Auditor General Larry Dennis has been named in the Queen's 2010 New Year's Honours and Awards List.

He was honoured with a CBE for "services to good governance in Bermuda; for his role as Auditor General for 31 years and his efforts to improve public accountability", according to a Government spokeswoman.

When Mr. Dennis retired this summer, he was the longest-serving Auditor General in the British Commonwealth.

Despite flak over the decades from both the former UBP and present PLP governments, he clearly loved his job.

"The criticism comes with the job," said the 65-year-old Bermudian.

"Sometimes it might be hurtful, but professionally it's the satisfaction you're doing the job right.

"As long as I kept my life compartmentalised I was fine, I was able to cope very well I think."

As Auditor General, Mr. Dennis was independent of political influence in auditing public (Government) accounts. His investigations often saw him viewed as an 'unsung hero' by members of the public, in what could be a thankless task.

On being named in the Queen's New Year's Honours List, Mr. Dennis said yesterday: "I'm surprised. I am very, very happy to be honoured."

Asked for his career highlight, Mr. Dennis told The Royal Gazette: "I think I transformed the office from one of just checking vouchers to one of investigation. That was a sea change and I'm very proud of it."

Mr. Dennis will also be remembered as the Auditor General who was arrested in June 2007 in the hunt to find the leaked Police files on allegations of corruption at the Bermuda Housing Corporation. His Victoria Hall offices were raided twice that year.

The arrest of Bermuda's independent financial watchdog was even raised as a matter of concern by MPs in Britain's Houses of Parliament.

It also led Government Minister Derrick Burgess to accuse Mr. Dennis of "getting away" with being a criminal by not being charged "with receiving stolen goods" at a PLP election rally in November of that year.

In turn, Mr. Dennis threatened to sue Mr. Burgess for libel.

Then, in September this year, Works and Engineering Minister Mr. Burgess accused Mr. Dennis of being "mischievous and evil", by claiming Government ignored the suggestions of its own technical advisors and went with other contractors instead for the Berkeley Institute and Hamilton Police Station/Magistrates Court building.

Yesterday Mr. Burgess, as Acting Premier, congratulated Mr. Dennis on his CBE.

"The Government of Bermuda offers its congratulations to the recipients of Honours and Awards in this New Year's Honours List," he said.

"A broad cross-section of public and community service has been recognised and all Bermuda should be proud of these honourees."

Governor Sir Richard Gozney said Mr. Dennis had been recognised by the Queen after more than 30 years of "serious and painstaking work".

"Up to his retirement last August he worked assiduously and I am very glad to see him rewarded," said Sir Richard.

"He showed a perennial determination to hold successive governments, of both political parties, to account in the most literal sense. Naturally successive governments have sometimes bridled when he has shone the spotlight on parts of their administrations, but no successful Auditor General can expect constant applause from those whom he audits.

"I believe that he deserves the award, and a long and happy retirement."

The Queen also honoured Olga May Scott, wife of former Premier Alex Scott, with an OBE for services to the community.

Mrs. Scott is honoured for more than 35 years' dedication to young people through Youth Health Education Development (Teen Services), and also voluntary work with the children's welfare charity, the Continental Society.

Mrs. Scott said yesterday: "I feel delighted to have been honoured this way."

She joked: "I've always been behind the scenes because my husband has been the one up-front. But he has always been very supportive, and is delighted for me."

Mrs. Scott, a Jamaican, came to Bermuda in 1967 to start the YHED programme, an education and counselling service for young people and teenage mothers.

She was executive director for 21 years and is still a Teen Services board member, even after retirement.

"I feel quite privileged I've been given the opportunity to work with young people," she said.

Governor Sir Richard yesterday praised her "strong commitment and selflessness". "Her award is clearly well deserved," he said.

Filmmaker Wendi Nixon-Fiedler will also receive an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours, for services to Government, private organisations and NGOs.

A Government spokeswoman said the Panatel owner had "captured and preserved segments of Bermuda's culture and history".

"Her work has also created valuable educational tools and resources," she said.

Among Panatel's programmes are 'Treasures', 'Bermuda: Five Centuries' and the 'Learn A Lots'.

Mrs. Nixon-Fiedler, a Bermudian mother-of-two, said: "I feel deeply honoured to be recognised for the work that I have done for Bermuda's community."

Governor Sir Richard said: "Wendi Nixon-Fiedler is well known as one of Bermuda's premier filmmakers. Her voluntary work in recording Bermuda's history and culture may be less well known to some and it is good to see it rewarded with an MBE."