The UK Government has rejected a PLP bid to have Parliament dissolved and Governor George Fergusson recalled in a row over an inquiry into allegations of historic land grabs.

The move came after PLP leader Marc Bean wrote to the UK Government to protest at the Governor’s decision not to set up a Commission of Inquiry into land transactions in the past after a vote in the House of Assembly.

Mr Bean said the Governor should be recalled to the UK and that the UK should order a General Election to be held.

But Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for the Overseas Territories Mark Simmons said: “I have replied to the leader of the Opposition explaining that I have full confidence in the Governor and do not intend to recall him.

Neither do I agree that the Bermuda House of Assembly should be dissolved.”

He added: “There is much work for the House and Bermuda’s elected politicians to take forward.”

And Mr Simmons said that Mr Fergusson had already responded to the request for a Commission of Inquiry directly to the House of Assembly - and had left the door open for a Commission if more information was made available.

MPs approved a motion at the start of this month to look at claims Bermudians had been cheated out of their property in the redevelopment of Tucker’s Town in the 1920s into a resort for wealthy tourists and other, later transactions.

Mr Fergusson said that the House debate had raised “serious concerns of public interest” - but added that more discussion was needed before a Commission of Inquiry could be considered.

The decision sparked a massive protest march on Government House, where Mr Bean handed over a letter with his demands to Acting Governor Ginny Ferson.

More on this story in tomorrow’s edition of The Royal Gazette.