Bermuda’s Opposition Progressive Labour Party has warned of further division and conflict on the island unless a bipartisan, consensus-building approach is taken on immigration reform. But the warning went unheeded by the governing One Bermuda Alliance which rejected a PLP bid to set up a parliamentary committee to make reform proposals. Instead, the OBA proposed that parliament “take […]
Bermuda: Immigration reform motion sinks
House Speaker's competence questioned as he fails to justify his refusal to allow debate on Government amendment motion
A bid by Bermuda’s Opposition Progressive Labour Party to form a parliamentary committee on immigration reform was torpedoed by the governing One Bermuda Alliance last night. The PLP asked parliament to set up a joint select committee to “develop a set of proposals for substantial reform of immigration policy” warning that anything less than a consensus approach […]
Row over waterfront legal fees
Minister's wife is a director of law firm involved
Bermuda Government has refused to reveal exactly how much funding approval it is seeking from parliament for litigation expenses involving the City of Hamilton waterfront and its powers over the island’s municipalities. It also has not responded to questions about the identity of the local law firm involved. We can report, however, that MJM was instructed by Municipalities Minister Michael […]
New rules to govern municipal elections
New rules governing Bermuda’s municipal elections passed the final legislative hurdle after being approved by the Senate on Wednesday. The Municipalities Amendment Act 2015 introduces a proportional representation electoral system for the first time in Bermuda’s history and was praised by Government Senators as a broadening of the franchise which protects minority interests. But Opposition […]
MacLean details DeCosta role in waterfront talks
Sworn statement places private citizen in centre of negotiations
The man at the centre of Bermuda’s “JetGate” scandal was also a go-between in negotiations on Bermuda’s billion dollar City of Hamilton’s waterfront redevelopment project, developer Michael MacLean has stated in court filings. MacLean has filed suit against the Government claiming compensation of $90 million to cover loss of profits caused by Government’s voiding of his Waterfront […]
UK – Bermuda “very close” to agreement on airport project
A controversial plan to rehabilitate Bermuda’s airport is being backed by the UK Government, we can report. Finance Minister Bob Richards listed the estimated $250 million project as a near certainty in his Budget Statement outlining Government’s fiscal strategy for the upcoming financial year. Bermuda and the UK have differed over whether Whitehall’s permission – […]
How Bermuda bungled its waterfront redevelopment project
And why was Stephen ("JetGate") DeCosta involved?
It has long been billed as a game changer – a project that could at once revitalize the economy and transform the face of Hamilton, Bermuda. But local and central Government in Bermuda bungled a bid to redevelop harbor-front property in the island’s capital in maneuvers that could end up costing taxpayers tens of millions […]
Councillors warn public against dealings with the City of Hamilton
Government dismisses statement as unauthorised
City of Hamilton Deputy Mayor Donal Smith has warned members of the public that the Mayor and the City’s Secretary are conducting the municipality’s business without proper authority. But Government has dismissed the warning saying the City is under its temporary stewardship and the Council can therefore not make any official statements. In a strongly worded […]
Government faces Supreme Court action over municipalities takeover powers
Bermuda’s Government is heading for a Supreme Court showdown this afternoon over a controversial law allowing it to take control of the island’s municipalities. But it exercised its powers under the law on Monday taking over stewardship of the Corporation of Hamilton which mounted the constitutional challenge, and is expected to argue that the municipality does […]
Developer confident as financiers file lawsuits over hotel deal
Corporation property could be in jeopardy if further financing does not come through
Bridge financiers for a $300 million hotel project in Bermuda’s capital have filed suits against the Corporation of Hamilton and developers Par-la-Ville Hotels and Residences Ltd. The actions are being brought by Mexico Infrastructure Finance which provided a Corporation of Hamilton backed $18 million loan to the developers. PLV Hotels principal Michael MacLean, however, is […]