A CARIBBEAN resort investment firm at the centre of a Serious Fraud Office investigation has lost its second auditor in under three years.

Accountants BDO has filed a public resignation at Companies House saying it can no longer act as auditor for Harlequin Property, of Honywood Road, Basildon.

The firm is being investigated by the fraud office and Essex Police following complaints from investors over delays.

It has sold more than 6,000 off-plan holiday properties across six Caribbean resorts, taking in more than £300million, but so far built around 300.

Harlequin denies any wrongdoing.

A man from Basildon, who has invested around £100,000, but would not be named, said: “When this much money is at stake it is a big concern why auditors keep resigning and we need some answers.”

Auditors independently verify the accounts of a limited company based on information supplied by the firm.

BDO audited its last accounts up to March 2011, but issued a disclaimer saying it had not seen enough evidence to ensure they were accurate.

Its resignation letter released today said: “We have not been given significant information by the directors to enable us to ascertain whether or not appropriate progress has been made.”

It added in light of the lack of communication, which it said was needed for an effective audit, it “had resigned as auditor”.

Harlequin’s previous auditor Wilkins Kennedy resigned in summer 2010 saying information had come to light which made it inappropriate to stay in office.

Harlequin blames Wilkins Kennedy for failings in its accounts records and has launched a professional negligence claim against the Southend accountants.

However, Wilkins Kennedy says it is contesting the claim.

It is not known who the new auditor is, but accountant James Baker, of the Baker
Clarke Partnership, in Tolleshunt Major, recently conducted a "forensic review" of its accounts and said all investors' money was accounted for.