An inquiry into an alleged breach of confidentiality in connection with public access to information is complete, according to information commissioner Gitanjali Gutierrez.

Ms Gutierrez told The Royal Gazette this week she expected to release the outcome of the investigation next month.

The inquiry was prompted after a session of the House of Assembly in May, when Walton Brown, then PLP spokesman on immigration, accused Craig Cannonier, the Minister of Public Works, of illegally divulging that he had made a Pati request in connection with the removal of Bermuda stone from a construction site at Blackwatch Pass.

Under the Pati law, the identity of persons requesting information is confidential.

Ms Gutierrez said at the time that she had been notified by a member of the public about the possible breach, which is against section 12(4) of the Pati Act.

The commissioner has the power to initiate investigations under the law and she said in May that confidentiality was “critically important” to preventing retaliation against people who request information.

The public can also expect an annual report from the information commissioner’s office by the end of March, as well as published guidance on the 16 exemptions contained within the legislation, which allow authorities to withhold records in certain circumstances, and other key provisions for using the Act.