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Call for Premier to respond to Ombudsman’s concerns

Ombudsman Arlene Brock.

The One Bermuda Alliance has called on Premier Paula Cox to respond to claims by the Ombudsman that she was pressured during high-level conversations.Shadow Attorney General Trevor Moniz said in a statement yesterday: “Good governance needs strong leadership.“Without it, there is little chance for the change Bermuda needs, little chance for civil servants to work for the best interests of Bermuda.”Last year, Ms Brock launched an ‘own motion’ investigation into the handling of the Tucker’s Point Special Development Order (SDO).The resulting special report, issued in May, claimed Government had acted illegally by failing to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment before granting the SDO, in accordance to the UK Environmental Charter, signed by Government in 2001.Minister for Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Strategy Marc Bean denied that Government acted illegally, saying the Charter was not legally binding and only “aspirational.”He further called Ms Brock’s decision to launch an ‘own motion’ inquiry unusual, and questioned if the Ombudsman was biased.In a report tabled on Friday in the House of Assembly, Ombudsman Arlene Brock said she felt the Government reaction to the report was ‘inadequate,’ in particular claims that the Environmental Charter signed by Government was not legally binding.She further stated that she was pressured not to carry out the investigation.“After announcing the investigation in April 2011, I endured six high-level conversations with three different persons over a four week period, during which I was asked, advised, cajoled and urged not to conduct it.”She did not state who those people are, or what bodies they represented.Responding to the story yesterday, Mr Moniz said that Bermuda should be very concerned about the Ombudsman’s statement, and that the issue underscored the fact that more than legislation is required for good governance.“For good governance to succeed, it requires people in positions of power to honour and respect those whose job it is to keep us honest and in check,” Mr Moniz said.“The Premier has made a big deal about pushing forward good governance measures to make sure ‘abuses will be a thing of the past,’ but we continue to see indications that questionable behaviours continue, regardless of her declaration that there will be ‘zero tolerance for behaviour and practices that do not accord with the highest standards of good governance.’“We urge the Premier to address Ms Brock’s comments. People would like to know where she stands on the matter.”