Tourism and Transport Minister Shawn Crockwell last night hit back over “misleading and incorrect” allegations by PLP MP Lawrence Scott over the running of Marine and Ports.

Mr Crockwell dismissed Mr Scott’s claim that the Minster had refused to meet Marine and Ports staff to discuss grievances.

He said that Ministers “should not be involved in staffing matters” and that Civil Service rules meant that there was separation of the roles of elected Members and Civil Service management.

Mr Crockwell added that Mr Scott’s claims that new jobs in Marine and Ports, “seemingly tailored for non-Bermudians” were not new, but reflected management changes made more than two years ago to improve ferry fleet operations.

He said that the two jobs had been advertised on-Island — but no suitable candidates had been identified, so they had now been advertised overseas and any recruits would be expected train suitable Bermudian replacements.

Mr Crockwell said that Mr Scott had also accused him of breaking a promise that the back-up ferry Millenium, chartered from the US, would leave the Island at the end of the 2013 season.

He added: “Had Mr Scott taken the time to make a simple enquiry, he would been told that the Millenium was simply delayed from departing Bermuda due to the sudden onset of winter weather.”

Mr Crockwell said the vessel had left Bermuda last Friday.

And he added: “My only hope going forward is that Mr Scott takes the time to find out the facts before sending out misleading and inflammatory accusations to the media which serve no other purpose than to try and distract from the good work this Government is doing to revive our economy and provide jobs for Bermudians.”