The Progressive Labour Party has demanded transparency over the Bermuda Government’s travel expenses to the Olympic Games.

It comes after The Royal Gazette revealed that sports minister Sylvan Richards and his permanent secretary Wayne Carey spent almost $5,500 on empty Rio de Janeiro hotel rooms during their trip.

The pair visited Brazil to officially support Bermuda’s competing athletes at the international sporting event, which ran from August 5 to 21, drawing sharp criticism when it was revealed that the trip cost more than $30,000 of taxpayer’s money.

“With so many Bermudians out of work and the OBA [One Bermuda Alliance] doubling the debt in less than four years, every penny spent by the government must be handled in a fiscally competent manner,” Michael Weeks, the shadow health and community affairs minister, stated.

“With continued cuts to programmes benefiting our youth and seniors, the fact that the OBA can find tens of thousands of dollars for Rio trips is reflective of a Government that promised fiscal responsibility and in many ways have failed to deliver.

“Also falling short on the transparency they promised the people of Bermuda, the previous comments by Minister Richards’ spokesperson, Minister Gordon-Pamplin, and Premier Dunkley still leave more questions than answers.”

A Public Access to Information request to the Bermuda Government revealed that Mr Richards and Mr Carey requested reimbursement for stays in separate four-star hotels from August 4 to 22, despite arriving in Rio de Janeiro on the morning of August 5 and flying back to Bermuda on the evening of August 14.

When contacted about the discrepancy between the hotel dates and the flight dates, a Government spokeswoman said: “Official hotel rooms were only available on a block basis for the entire Olympics.”

However, staff at both establishments denied that they had only allowed block bookings during the Olympic Games, adding that they always accepted bookings of any duration.

Mr Weeks said: “Adding the most recent revelation, that over $5,400 was paid by tax payers for unused hotel rooms, is has become imperative that Minister Richards and the OBA Government provide the people with some real answers.”

Mr Weeks questioned the “real story behind the money spent” and why the OBA is not providing “straight answers as to how this level of incompetence could be allowed to occur”.

“Was Minister Richards aware that Minister Gordon Pamplin had already booked a trip to Rio when she occupied that Cabinet post?

“As Minister Gordon-Pamplin only booked a ticket for herself when Minister of Social Development and Sport, was it possible for Minister Richards to travel alone?

“Why did Minister Richards and his Permanent Secretary request a reimbursement for the costs of unused hotel rooms, and why were these reimbursements paid out?”

He added that with the statement from Mr Richards’ spokeswoman, and the hotels’ subsequent denial, clarity is needed on the necessity of booking rooms for nights the Minister and his Permanent Secretary were not in Rio.

“Despite continued deflection attempts, the OBA must truly provide the transparency they promised, and explain to the people how an oversight this expensive could take place.

“With community organisations, sports clubs and schools struggling to find financing to maintain programs and facilities, this money could have been better spent on our people and their development.

“The picture painted by revelations into the Rio junket taken by Minister Richards is not a pretty one and should concern every Bermudian, and not just the ones who already believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.”