The Bermuda Public Service Union’s executive and general council have thrown their “unwavering support” behind president Jason Hayward.

A statement released by Edward Ball, the BPSU’s general secretary, said the legal action brought by Bob Richards, the Minister of Finance, against Mr Hayward challenged the very ethos of freedom of speech and expression.

Mr Richards has launched a defamation case against the BPSU’s president over comments made by Mr Hayward on a ZBM broadcast in May.

The BPSU statement laments that “Bermuda’s media houses appear to be ignoring the attacks on democratic freedoms that are occurring in our own country” and maintains that “citizens are entitled to disagree with Government and the Government must respect the right to do so”.

It further states: “Open public dialogue is important especially regarding the usage of taxpayer funds that affect the public purse for any proposed government venture.

“This does not appear to be the case with the dispute between Mr Richards and Mr Hayward of the BPSU. This situation represents a David and Goliath scenario where the Government, by its position of strength, appears to be seeking to strangle the union by both making an example of Brother Hayward, denying free speech as it pertains to the union and, by extension, the public at large.”