Walter Roban, Shadow Minister of National Security, has criticised Michael Dunkley for being “out of touch and taking Bermuda in the wrong direction”.

Mr Roban accused the Premier of attempting to carry out a miscarriage of justice against Marc Bean over comments he made against former senator Toni Daniels while failing to answer allegations of corruption within his party.

Last night Mr Dunkley dismissed Mr Roban’s comments as part of the Opposition’s strategy of “disinformation and criticism”.

In a statement released yesterday Mr Roban levelled a string of criticisms at the Premier including the lack of action against the male videoed having sex with a minor at Cup Match, as well as remaining “strangely silent” over a recent shooting.

After outlining these complaints, Mr Roban continued: “This is the same Premier Dunkley who found time to lecture us about political language and conduct and has never apologised for his profane and nasty remarks directed at Cindy Swan.

“The same Premier Dunkley that says he wants to elevate political discourse stood silent when his OBA colleague MP Suzann Holshouser was berated and brought to tears for voting her conscience instead of with her party.

“When it comes to Premier Michael Dunkley, the pattern is clear. On the real issues that matter to Bermudians, he has a tendency to disappear. His latest pronouncement cannot conceal the fact that he has been AWOL on several key issues and lacks the moral authority to lecture Bermudians on any subject.

“We encourage the Premier to focus his energy in getting Bermudians back to work, diversifying our economy and expanding opportunity instead of twisting the truth and ducking the real issues.”

Last night Mr Dunkley responded saying that he could “answer each and every prevarication that Mr Roban lists and knock them for six”.

He added: “Instead, I would ask Bermudians to consider this latest PLP attack in the context of the words of a former PLP Leader who outlined a strategy to take out the OBA Government through a ‘sustained programme of disinformation and criticism’. That is what’s in play with Mr. Roban’s statement today.

“The reality is just the opposite. My focus as Premier and the focus of my colleagues has always been on getting our people back to work, diversifying our economy and expanding opportunity. That’s what we were elected to do, that’s what we’ve been doing and the benefits are starting to spread. That’s a fact.

“But we know there remains a long way to go. We’ve turned the economy toward positive growth and the push is on to grow that momentum. Monday’s special session of the Legislature is one phase of that push. Passing legislation that will set the stage for a new hotel in St George’s that will help us get Bermudians back to work, strengthening the economy and expanding opportunity.

“Everything else about the statement released by Mr Roban is political exhaust from a party leadership that really doesn’t want this government to succeed. I nevertheless want to thank him for the opportunity to remind Bermuda what really matters.”