Phil Perinchief presents the different sides of the current court dispute over PLP membership rules – and concludes that it all comes down to what is – and what is not – constitutional …
Delroy Duncan and Ryan Hawthorne of Trott & Duncan (left), representing Curtis Dickinson, and Mark Pettingill (2nd from right), representing the Progressive Labour Party, following a Commercial Court hearing on Thursday. Centre: PLP HQ on Court Street. Photos by Gary Foster Skelton
Constitutional or unconstitutional?
That is the question, according to Phil Perinchief.
In an open letter, the former PLP Attorney General got down to legal “nuts and bolts” regarding the current courtroom drama over the PLP Leadership race.
Mr Perinchief presents the case as a clash between General and Special provisions of the PLP’s constitution, and states that the matter may depend on a principal of law in which Special provisions shall prevail over General provisions…
Amendments to party membership rules, passed at a Central Committee meeting on August 24th, could see former supporters of other parties vetted prior to being granted membership, and newer members prevented from immediately becoming delegates who can vote at the Annual General Conference.
The PLP leadership election will be held at the upcoming AGC from October 28th to the 30th.
That amendment is currently restrained by a legal injunction acquired by leadership contender, Curtis Dickinson. His campaign team says the process used to pass that amendment was against the party’s constitution.
Seeking to lay out the legal issues, Phil Perinchief cites that the Party Leader, in this case David Burt, and the Central Committee or Executive Committeee have used a general provision of the constitution, clause 8 of the bye-laws, to argue that they had the constitutional right to pass a motion and take action to protect the constitution of the party – in particular while the Annual General Conference is in recess.
However, he also cites the opposing view that the Special provision on membership, Article 4 of the constitution, is supreme over the bye-laws, and that passing the, quote unquote, “controversial” membership motion substantively impacts the established Article 4… and that amounts to an amendment of the PLP constitution.
Mr Perinchief further cites the opposing argument that such an amendment, according to the constitution, can only be acomplished by delegates at an Annual General Conference or Special Delegates Conference – and only after a 21-day notice to party members.
Phil Perinchief adds that it is noteworthy that the Annual General Conference has been convened for late October, and therefore is no longer ajourned or recessed. Opposers to the motion therefore argue that matters are in the hands of the AGC, to which the Central or Executive Committees are subordinate.
Ultimately, Mr Perinchief says, the membership motion only stands if it is constitutional. If unconstitutional, it is null and void in law or – as he puts more bluntly – dead.
On day two of the Supreme Court trial of former PLP Senator Curtis Richardson, jurors heard live testimony from two witnesses who were at the scene
Jurors heard testimony today from two crown witnesses who were at the scene when Marco Warren was found lying in a roadway along Northshore Road on May 14, 2023.
One witness, who was allegedly flagged down by defendant Curtis Richardson, was a registered nurse and testified about his demeanor at the scene.
Former PLP Senator Mr. Richardson is charged with a single count of causing the death of Marco Warren by driving without due care and attention, which he denies.
India will host the BRICS Leaders’ Summit this weekend, with leaders from Russia, China and Iran due to attend
Officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal pose for a picture during a photo session for participants in the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, India, September 11, 2026. India’s Ministry of External Affairs/Handout via REUTERS
International News via Reuters:
Finance ministers and central bank governors of BRICS countries have called for reform of global developmental financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, seeking a stronger voice for emerging market economies.
“With the growing share of emerging market and developing economies in global output and growth, reform of global economic governance remains a consistent BRICS priority,” finance chiefs of BRICS countries said in a joint statement issued late on Thursday.
“We will continue to strengthen coordination among BRICS members to make international financial institutions more representative, transparent and accountable,” they said.
India will host the BRICS Leaders’ Summit this weekend, with leaders from Russia, China and Iran due to attend. The summit in New Delhi comes more than six months after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran, a BRICS member since 2024.
The rise in oil prices as a result of the conflict has added to pressure on emerging economies that have also felt the impact of volatility in trade tariffs imposed by the U.S.
“We continue to have serious concerns with the unilateral imposition of trade and finance-related actions, including the raising of tariffs and non-tariff measures, which distort trade and are inconsistent with World Trade Organisation rules,” the finance chiefs’ statement said.
While acknowledging the work done by the BRICS payment task force, the finance chiefs pushed for progress in ensuring greater interoperability of payment systems across member nations.
“We encourage the BRICS Payment Task Force to continue discussions, building on the ongoing work, to facilitate practical solutions for cross-border payments among BRICS countries, which are fast, low-cost, more accessible, efficient, transparent, and safe,” the statement said.
India will push for progress on linking digital currencies across BRICS countries, two sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters earlier this week.
Reporting by Ira Dugal; Editing by Alex Richardson
The case dates back to 2015, when Orsted approached the Danish and British tax authorities to avoid double taxation of the projects
FILE PHOTO: Storm clouds gather behind wind turbines on the Burbo Bank offshore wind farm, operated by energy company Orsted, off the coast of New Brighton, Britain, December 9, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
International News via Reuters:
Danish offshore wind farm developer Orsted said on Friday that an advisory commission ruled its two British wind farms should be taxed primarily in Britain, supporting the company’s position in a dispute between Danish and UK tax authorities.
• The case dates back to 2015, when Orsted approached the Danish and British tax authorities to avoid double taxation of the projects. After the authorities did not reach an agreement, they referred the matter to an advisory commission under the EU Arbitration Convention in 2023.
• In 2020, Danish tax authorities claimed 6.6 billion Danish crowns ($1.03 billion) in taxes and interest related to the development of the offshore wind farms Walney Extension and Hornsea 1. Orsted challenged the claim, saying British subsidiaries developed, owned, and operated the projects and had already paid UK tax.
• Hornsea 1, a 1.2-gigawatt offshore wind farm in the North Sea off England’s east coast, can generate enough electricity to power more than 1 million British homes. Walney Extension, a 660-megawatt offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea, can generate electricity for nearly 600,000 homes.
• The commission found the projects had a “genuine legal and economic purpose” and were therefore “primarily taxable” in the country where they are located and generate revenue, the UK, the company said.
• Orsted said on Friday that the ruling would result in a “minor upwards adjustment” to its tax position in Denmark, adding that “the tax charge in Denmark will, over time, largely be offset by tax reductions in the UK”.
• Orsted said it would discuss with Danish and British tax authorities how to apply this ruling to other projects facing similar tax questions, and expects those cases to be resolved using the same legal principles.
($1 = 6.4374 Danish crowns)
Reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Mexico City; Editing by Rashmi Aich
The outbreak, which federal investigators linked to lettuce from central Mexico sourced by Taylor Farms, prompted one of the largest food recalls in recent years and renewed scrutiny of food-safety controls for imported produce
FILE PHOTO: Lettuce grows on a farm near Salinas, California, U.S., August 11, 2026. REUTERS/Fred Greaves/File Photo
International News via Reuters:
U.S. health authorities on Friday declared the nation’s largest recorded multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak over, after contaminated iceberg lettuce sickened thousands, though the FDA said it is still probing how the parasite entered the food supply.
The outbreak, which federal investigators linked to lettuce from central Mexico sourced by Taylor Farms, prompted one of the largest food recalls in recent years and renewed scrutiny of food-safety controls for imported produce. It also rattled consumer confidence, with some shoppers avoiding raw fruits and vegetables as well as dining out, hurting foot traffic at restaurants such as Taco Bell, Sweetgreen and Chipotle.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12,883 people across 21 states fell ill after consuming contaminated lettuce. The outbreak resulted in 570 hospitalizations and two deaths, and accounted for more than half of the 19,595 laboratory-confirmed U.S. cyclosporiasis cases reported since May 1.
At the peak of the outbreak, before the recall, more than 1,000 infections were reported in a single day. In August, the CDC said, infections had fallen to fewer than two per day on average.
The Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it remains confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce linked to the outbreak is off the market. The CDC said best-by dates for all products linked to the outbreak have passed, and the lettuce would no longer be available in stores or restaurants.
Taylor Farms recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17.
The FDA also said it had completed on-site inspections and collected samples from lettuce farms and the processing facility in Mexico, with analysis pending, and will continue working with U.S., Mexican and state partners.
Taylor Farms, retailers Walmart, Target, Whole Foods and restaurant chains Taco Bell (Yum Brands), Chipotle Mexican Grill and Sweetgreen did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Michigan, the state hardest hit by the outbreak, reported over 14,000 cases and two deaths linked to the parasite, according to federal and state health officials. Ohio and Missouri also saw thousands of infections tied to contaminated lettuce from Taylor Farms.
Unusually high case totals from Michigan were attributed to a large backlog of reports processed in August, highlighting the strain on a system weakened by federal funding cuts under the Trump administration.
Before 2026, the largest U.S. cyclosporiasis season on record was reported in 2019, when roughly 4,700 illnesses were documented nationwide.
Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Editing by Diti Pujara
The negotiations are aimed at striking an interim bilateral bargain under which Mexico could win relief from some U.S. tariffs while addressing U.S. demands on areas including automotive content and Chinese investment
The flags of the U.S. and Mexico fly at dawn over the Lerdo-Stanton International Bridge on the day U.S. and Mexican trade negotiators meet for a third round of bilateral talks aimed at advancing the review of the North American trade agreement, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, July 21, 2026. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez
International News via Reuters:
Mexico and the United States are racing to reach a bilateral trade deal before the U.S. midterm elections in less than eight weeks, according to six sources in both countries familiar with the talks, an effort made more urgent by the collapse of Canadian negotiations with Washington.
“We both want to reach a deal before the midterms,” said one Mexico-based source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private talks.
The negotiations are aimed at striking an interim bilateral bargain under which Mexico could win relief from some U.S. tariffs while addressing U.S. demands on areas including automotive content and Chinese investment.
While no formal deadline exists, officials in both countries see political benefits in reaching a deal before the November 3 elections when U.S. President Donald Trump’s Republican Party risks losing control of Congress. An accord would enable both leaders to tout a win as they face domestic political challenges.
“Time is of the essence for the Mexican government,” said the Mexican source, citing concerns over a weak economy and falling credit ratings on its debt. The source added that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, which this week presented its 2027 budget, views a U.S. trade deal as critical to reassuring markets and investors.
A spokesperson for Mexico’s economy ministry said, “There are no specific deadlines at this time,” stressing the government’s ongoing commitment to dialogue with Washington.
The U.S. Trade Representative and White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
MEXICO CONCILIATORY
Mexico’s push to reach a deal comes after trade talks between the United States and Canada collapsed last month, plunging the longtime allies into a bitter tariff dispute.
Washington on Tuesday banned imports of a broad swath of Canadian alcohol, motorcycles and dairy products, and Ottawa has vowed to match U.S. tariffs dollar for dollar.
The collapse of Canada’s talks has reinforced Mexico’s strategy of avoiding direct confrontation with Washington, betting that cooperation will yield tariff relief.
The Mexican source described the country’s approach as “play nice and continue to cooperate.” Mexico sends more than 80% of its exports to its northern neighbor.
Reflecting the intensified pace, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick met virtually with Sheinbaum on Thursday about trade.
The meeting, originally scheduled in person, came less than two weeks after Sheinbaum proposed legislation giving the government new powers to review and block foreign acquisitions of Mexican companies.
The measure, which would create an investment-screening regime similar to those in the United States and Canada, is widely seen as a response to U.S. pressure for closer scrutiny of Chinese investment.
The U.S.-Mexico talks are being framed as an effort to reach an interim bilateral deal while issues with the three-country USMCA pact including Canada are negotiated.
That agreement was thrown into uncertainty in July when the U.S. did not agree to renew it for another 16 years. The accord remains in effect, subject to annual review, but the Trump administration has used the process to seek additional concessions from Canada and Mexico.
BEST FRENEMIES
Officials in both Mexico and Canada, which have long been uneasy allies, have publicly stressed their commitment to preserving a trilateral agreement. But some Mexican officials privately argue Mexico should not sacrifice its own interests to secure a deal for Canada.
The race for a U.S.-Mexico deal may have additional strategic dimensions. One auto industry source said the Trump administration aims to isolate Ottawa by reaching a deal with Mexico before major new Canadian tariffs take effect on January 1.
A U.S.-Mexico deal could also bring down consumer prices in the United States and deliver a “political win” for the Trump administration, said Diego Marroquin Bitar, an expert on North American trade who also works as a consultant. “They could argue it was Canada’s fault they didn’t reach an agreement.”
OBSTACLES REMAIN
A major hurdle in any interim trade deal is the so-called Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles and auto parts. Under those national security tariffs, Mexican and Canadian steel exported to the U.S. face tariffs of 50%, while vehicles are subject to a 25% duty.
Trump has since negotiated lower auto tariffs for other trading partners, including 15% for Japan, the European Union and South Korea, and 10% for Britain, leaving some vehicles from those countries facing lower duties than cars shipped from Mexico and Canada.
Before negotiations collapsed last month, Canada appeared close to a breakthrough with Washington on Section 232 tariffs and other trade issues, raising hopes Mexico could quickly secure similar terms.
Several automakers believe Washington could ultimately offer Mexico the same framework discussed with Canada: a 15% tariff on vehicle imports, plus an additional reduction for U.S. content, bringing the effective tariff rate to around 7%.
In return, Mexico is expected to give ground on U.S. demands for greater American content in vehicles, particularly engines, electronics and software, a second Mexico-based source said.
While Mexico opposes explicit U.S. content requirements, “that doesn’t mean it won’t be working on something to help increase the U.S. content,” the source said, adding that the final shape of such a compromise is “the big question.”
Reporting by Emily Green in Mexico City; David Shepardson in Washington, and Nora Eckert and Kalea Hall in Detroit; Additional reporting from Andrea Shalal in Washington; Editing by Brad Haynes and Cynthia Osterman
City Mayor says we must ensure that the events of 9/11 are never forgotten
Statement from Mayor Branco:
Today marks 25 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, a day that profoundly changed our world and the way so many of us understood it.
It was a privilege to attend this morning’s remembrance ceremony at Bermuda’s September 11 Memorial in the Botanical Gardens, alongside U.S. Consul General Antoinette Hurtado and members of our community, to pause and reflect on the lives lost and the enduring impact of that day.
For so many of us, September 11 is one of those moments in history where we remember exactly where we were when we heard the news. In a matter of hours, nearly 3,000 lives were lost, families were torn apart and a sense of security that many had taken for granted was shattered.
Here in Bermuda, that loss was deeply personal. Among those who lost their lives were Bermudians Rhondelle Tankard and Boyd Gatton, as well as Robert Higley, who had strong ties to the Island. Their loss ensures that September 11 is not only a chapter in world history, but part of Bermuda’s own story.
We remember every person who lost their life that day, and we honour the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of the first responders who ran towards danger to help others. We also remember the countless families, friends, colleagues and communities whose lives were inextricably changed, as well as those who continue to live with the lasting effects of September 11.
Twenty-five years later, we can also reflect on what the years since have shown us: extraordinary resilience and strength, greater connectivity across borders, and our shared capacity to rebuild and move forward even after unimaginable tragedy.
Perhaps one of the most important responsibilities we carry today is to ensure that September 11 is remembered by generations who were not yet born when it happened. We remember not only the scale of the tragedy, but the individual lives behind the numbers, the acts of courage and compassion that emerged in its aftermath, and the resilience of communities that refused to be defined by tragedy.
As Mayor of Hamilton, I join people across Bermuda and around the world in remembering all those we lost 25 years ago today.
We remember Rhondelle. We remember Boyd. We remember Robert. We remember them all.
May their memories continue to remind us of the preciousness of life, the strength of community and the importance of standing together in the face of adversity.
Rt. Wor Mayor Dr. Michael Branco JP City of Hamilton
In New York, family members of the victims, many carrying pictures of their loved ones, joined Vice President JD Vance and four former U.S. presidents at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan
Fire Department of New York (FDNY) firefighters pay their respects next to the reflecting pools at the 9/11 Memorial, on the day of a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York City, U.S., September 11, 2026. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/Pool
International News via Reuters:
Twenty-five years after the deadliest attack on U.S. soil, Americans paused on Friday to commemorate the nearly 3,000 people killed when hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania — and to wrestle with the consequences of September 11 that reverberate to this day.
In New York, family members of the victims, many carrying pictures of their loved ones, joined Vice President JD Vance and four former U.S. presidents at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan. The ceremony began, as always, at 8:46 a.m. ET (1246 GMT) with a moment of silence to remember the shocking instant when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower.
Shortly after, victims’ family members began reading aloud the names of all 2,977 people who died on September 11, as well as the six people killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, a somber recitation that lasts for hours. In a reminder of the time that has passed, some readers were children who had never met the relatives they lost in 2001.
Other moments of silence followed, marking when the other three airplanes crashed and the two towers collapsed. For the first time, a seventh moment of silence was set to honor the thousands who have died since 2001 from illnesses tied to the toxic dust that poisoned the air for months afterward.
Gregory Carafello attended the ceremony to honor the memory of his lifelong friend James Martello, who worked at Cantor Fitzgerald, the financial firm that lost more than 650 employees in the attacks. Carafello was on the 18th floor of the South Tower but managed to evacuate.
“Everyone should realize that it was a very bad, catastrophic day for many families,” he said. “These were not warriors. These were people like you and me going to work.”
At the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, where American Airlines Flight 77 struck the building’s west flank, killing 184, President Donald Trump chronicled some of the stories of those aboard who perished in the crash: a woman pregnant with her first child, a family of four headed to Australia, three sixth-graders on a field trip.
The president and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who also delivered remarks, both used their speeches to make the case for the Iran war, which they have defended as necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“We salute our first responders and law enforcement, and we love them,” Trump said. “And we salute the service members working right now to ensure the world’s number one sponsor of terror, the Islamic Republic of Iran, will never ever have a nuclear weapon.”
Mourners were also gathering in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at the crash site where passengers brought down one of the four hijacked jetliners, United Airlines Flight 93, that had been headed for Washington.
GENERATIONAL PAIN
The attacks shaped generations of Americans who lived through the day or grew up in its aftermath, influencing U.S. foreign policy, domestic politics and public attitudes toward security.
But for many whom the attacks directly affected — the victims’ families and friends, first responders and rescue workers — the anniversary is a tribute to the lives lost on a clear blue day a quarter century ago and the heartbreak that followed.
Caroline Ogonowski’s father, John, was the captain of Flight 11, which took off from Boston 47 minutes before striking the North Tower.
Ogonowski, now 39, had her first baby this year and named him after her father. She brought him to her father’s grave last week and attended a memorial ceremony in Boston on Friday.
“This year, there’s this new sadness in knowing that they won’t ever get to know each other,” Ogonowski, who has worked in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, said in a phone interview. “My father will never know his grandson. And my son will never know his grandfather.
“We owe it to my father and all the others that we lost on that day to make sure that we continue to teach future generations about what happened, about who these people were, who these heroes were, how our country came together and became stronger because of it,” she added.
LASTING LEGACY
A generation of Americans has grown up since 2001 who are too young to remember the attacks but whose lives were fundamentally altered by them.
The attacks initiated the “war on terror,” which led to the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq that lasted years. The resulting public backlash helped fuel Trump’s rise a decade ago, when he vowed not to start new foreign entanglements — a promise being tested by the Iran war.
At home, Americans expressed deep solidarity and patriotism, as well as sorrow, in the immediate wake of the attacks.
At the same time, however, Muslim Americans and immigrants from Muslim-majority countries faced a rise in prejudice and hate crimes. Public polls have found 9/11 colors Americans’ perceptions of Muslims to this day. Zohran Mamdani, New York’s first Muslim mayor, faced calls from some Republicans to skip Friday’s ceremony, which he rejected.
Casualties were not limited to those who perished on September 11. Many rescue workers who spent weeks or months at the site afterward, as well as nearby residents and others, were sickened by toxins in the air and eventually died.
The New York City Fire Department lost 343 members on September 11. More than 600 additional firefighters, including some retired members who took part in the rescue effort, have died of 9/11-related illnesses since then, department figures show.
Twenty-six have died this year alone.
Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova in New York and Idrees Ali in Washington; Writing by Joseph Ax; editing by Paul Thomasch and Rod Nickel
Astrid’s brother Harald died last month, aged 89, after more than 35 years on the throne, and the princess made her last public appearance at his funeral on Wednesday
Norway’s Princess Astrid leaves after the funeral service of Norway’s King Harald, in Oslo, Norway, September 9, 2026. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
International News via Reuters:
Norway’s Princess Astrid, an older sister of the late King Harald, died on Friday at the age of 94, the royal palace said in a statement.
Astrid’s brother Harald died last month, aged 89, after more than 35 years on the throne, and the princess made her last public appearance at his funeral on Wednesday.
“Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the Royal House in a warm and dutiful manner,” King Haakon VIII said in the statement.
Reporting by Terje Solsvik; Editing by Toby Chopra
The eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro is the leading right-wing challenger to leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in next month’s election
Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) attends a rally on Independence Day at Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil September 7, 2026. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini
International News via Reuters:
Brazil’s Supreme Court opened an investigation in July into Senator Flavio Bolsonaro over alleged corruption and money laundering crimes as part of a broader probe into failed lender Banco Master, according to a court document unsealed on Friday.
The eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro is the leading right-wing challenger to leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in next month’s election.
The investigation into Flavio Bolsonaro was opened by Justice Andre Mendonca following a request from Brazil’s Federal Police, which pointed to donations made by Banco Master’s former chief executive Daniel Vorcaro to a movie about the senator’s father.
Reporting by Ricardo Brito; Editing by Toby Chopra
The ECB raised borrowing costs on Thursday for the second time this year
Central Bank of Ireland Governor Gabriel Makhlouf participates in a session titled “The Future of Global Finance” during the Semafor World Economy conference in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 14, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
International News via Reuters:
A drawn-out conflict in the Middle East risks keeping inflation elevated for a long period but the European Central Bank could also damage economic growth if it raises interest rates “a great deal more”, ECB policymaker Gabriel Makhlouf said on Friday.
The ECB raised borrowing costs on Thursday for the second time this year and sources told Reuters policymakers expect further policy tightening in the months ahead, with a move possible as early as October.
“There remains significant uncertainty to the outlook,” Makhlouf wrote on a blog on the Irish central bank’s website.
“The near-term driver of elevated inflation remains energy. A drawn-out conflict in the Middle East risks keeping inflation elevated for a long period. But the other side of uncertainty is that raising rates a great deal more from here could carry real costs in terms of growth.”
Reporting by Padraic Halpin, editing by Sam Tabahriti
Auditor General, Heather Thomas, has released the second report examining the management and public disclosure of ministers’ travel, meal, and hospitality expenses for the remaining ministries, for the period January 2024 to December 2025.
The review is focused not on the amount of money spent on ministerial travel but on whether appropriate systems, controls and processes are in place to ensure that these expenses are properly recorded, supported and publicly disclose these expenses through the government’s travel webpage.
Mrs Thomas said: “As noted in my first report, disclosure of ministerial travel expenses is not mandated by law. However, publishing this information demonstrates the Government of Bermuda respect for public funds, fiscal responsibility, and accountability.” Transparency in the use of government funds – particularly when traveling on government – approved travel – is widely regarded as best practice.
“Ministers and government officials are stewards of public resources and are accountable for ensuring that public funds are used responsibly and in accordance with the principles of transparency, accountability and sound public financial management, “the Auditor General added.
Opportunities for improvement
The second phase of the examination identified several areas where improvements are needed:
Incomplete or inaccurate disclosures – Complete information was not consistently disclosed on the Government’s travel webpage.
Lack of central records – Not all ministries in-scoped maintained comprehensive and central records of ministers’ travel available that were readily available for review.
Insufficient supporting documentation – Some travel expense claims were not supported by the required receipts.
Inconsistent timelines – Ministries varied in when travel expenses were processed and posted.
Varied awareness of Financial Instructions (FI) and associated responsibilities – Differences were identified in ministries’ understanding of the applicability of the FI and the responsibilities associated with ministerial travel expenses.
Delegation costs excluded – Current disclosures on the Government’s travel webpage do not include the costs associated with accompanying delegations.
Establish a standardized reporting system with clear guidelines applicable for all ministries.
Strengthening internal controls and training to improve the accuracy and consistency pf recording and reporting of ministerial travel expenses.
We noted that two ministries had commenced documenting their processes, representing a positive step towards enhancing operational consistency, strengthening internal controls, and supporting compliance with established policies and procedures. The Auditor General emphasised that the purpose of the review is to promote transparency, accountability and sound financial management.
The report is intended to support improvements in the systems and processes used by ministries to manage and disclose public expenditure and to ensure that information provided to the public is complete, accurate and consistent.
About the Office of the Auditor General of Bermuda
The post of Auditor General established under the Bermuda Constitution Order. The specific mandate and responsibilities of the Auditor General are set out in the Audit Act 1990 and include carrying out audits of Government and its organizations and reporting to the legislature.
The mission of the Office of the Auditor General is to add credibility where appropriate to the Government’s financial reporting and to promote improvement in the financial administration of all Government Ministries, Departments and all other entities for which the Government is accountable to Parliament.
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