The One Bermuda Alliance yesterday called for Government to explain why Omar McIntosh is no longer managing director of Bermuda’s Washington office.Mr McIntosh was appointed last June, with Government saying his experience and expertise would help build relationships with decision-makers in the United States capital.Yesterday it emerged he left the post in March and now works as a manager at Rolls-Royce. OBA Senate leader Michael Dunkley said yesterday: “After all the fanfare of Mr McIntosh’s appointment a year ago, we need an explanation as to why he has now gone.“One would expect the public to be given an understanding on why this change has been made and any budget impact.”Senator Dunkley also questioned the secondment of press secretary Beverle Lottimore to head the office, where she will retain responsibilities for Government’s and Premier Paula Cox’s media relations.“It makes no sense to have a press secretary in DC,” said Sen Dunkley. “None of this adds up.”OBA leader John Barritt said: “It raises more questions than it does provide answers.“What happened with the previous post holder and what did that cost us, and how have we been managing since?“Could we have not used this opportunity to re-evaluate continued funding given the current economic times and challenges for Government, what with teachers now losing their jobs for example?“The one very critical question, too, is are we effecting any savings here and to what extent, if any assuming the presence of the Premier’s press secretary in Washington as well as the office are vital to Bermuda’s interests in Washington.”Mr McIntosh was unveiled last June at a photo shoot with then Premier Ewart Brown, who said: “Under Mr McIntosh’s leadership and counsel, I am certain that Bermuda will be promoted as the progressive and highly reputable jurisdiction it is.”Government pointed to his 15 years of experience in the commercial construction industry and Bermudian/American parentage, saying he would be responsible for the Washington office’s strategic plan.Mr McIntosh said at that time: “It is truly an honour to be a part of such an historic and important time in the further progression of a place that my family has called home and that will be of great benefit to the United States.”However LinkedIn website now states Mr McIntosh is construction programme manager for Americas at Rolls-Royce; the profile says he was director of Bermuda’s Washington office from May 2010 to April 2011.Government did not respond to queries about why Mr McIntosh is no longer there and over the future plans for the office.A press release on Monday night said the Washington office will continue in its current role with a view to expansion, noting it provides “a physical presence that offers easy access to Members of Congress and their staff who wish clarification on Bermuda’s positions on legislation and its impact”.It said of Ms Lottimore, who has been Ms Cox’s press secretary since her election seven months ago: “Ms Lottimore’s reporting structure will remain unchanged.”United Bermuda leader Kim Swan said: “Congratulations to Ms Lottimore, who is an extremely professional civil servant with experience in communications and media both locally and internationally.“I am sure she will acquit herself to the task and represent Bermuda’s interest quite admirably in Washington, DC.“Respectfully, we wait to see how the organisation of the office takes shape, as the press release indicated a retention of the press officer’s current duties.“Hopefully, further statements will clarify why the need for the retention of press officer duties if the role of Washington office is to enhance our relationship within the power base of Washington, DC.”Mr Swan pointed to a budget increase of 68 percent for the Washington office, from $320,000 in 2010/11 to $539,000 this fiscal year; he noted last year there were no salaried employees connected with the office, while this year there are three.Useful websites: www.linkedin.com/pub/omar-mcintosh/3/a45/413, www.oba.bm, www.ubp.bm