Sports Minister Glenn Blakeney has urged Bermuda Cricket Board to return the money they received from fraud-suspect billionaire Sir Allen Stanford.

Blakeney said that he trusted the BCB would 'do the right thing', adding that giving back the $500,000 that the cricket board has been given by Stanford was 'morally right'.

Until very recently the Texan was pumping $15,000 a month into cricket in Bermuda as part of the agreement surrounding the Island's participation in the Stanford 20/20 competition in the West Indies.

Earlier this week Stanford was charged in the US by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with a Madoff-style $8 billion fraud involving some 30,000 investors.

"Well from a moral point of view, if it is proven that he is guilty, then absolutely the money should be given back," said Blakeney. "Until there is due process I would reserve comment in any way that would be prejudicial in assuming he is guilty before he is.

"The evidence maybe overwhelming, but I would prefer to give benefit of the doubt as a principle until justice is done and seen to be done.

"In saying that, I would be remiss if I did not say that I have full confidence in the Bermuda Cricket Board that they would do the right thing, at the appropriate time."

And while the England and Wales Cricket Board and the West Indies Cricket Board have severed ties with the flamboyant businessman, the BCB have remained stubbornly silent.

Despite continued questioning by this newspaper they have refused to confirm when they last received money, and what, if any, contract they signed with Sir Allen when they first decided to take his money in 2006. In all he has contributed roughly $493,000 to the BCB's coffers.

"The BCB does not comment on speculation," said a cricket board spokesman.

Yesterday following an emergency board meeting, the ECB terminated their contracts with the Stanford Group with immediate effect.

"ECB was shocked by the charges filed against the Stanford organisation and personnel earlier this week," ECB chief executive David Collier said.

"Within minutes of the announcement, ECB determined to suspend any further discussions with Stanford and the board has now agreed to terminate the ECB's agreements with Stanford."

The ECB said England would not take part in any more Stanford Twenty20 matches in Antigua while this year's Stanford-sponsored international quadrangular event, scheduled to begin at Lord's in May, would not now go ahead.

And yesterday several English counties said they were considering sending back the $71,080 they received after last November's Stanford Super Series match in Antigua.

"When you take ill-gotten gains it leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth," said Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove.

"You have to put it in context; thousands of people could be damaged by the actions of this man if the charges are upheld. I don't know whether Hampshire can actually give the money back but, if you're asking whether I feel sullied by receiving it, yes I do."