Shawn Crockwell last night confirmed his resignation from the One Bermuda Alliance to stand as an independent MP.

Addressing legislators in the House of Assembly, Mr Crockwell accused the OBA of targeting both his business and personal life after he publicly denounced the party and its leadership.

As well as being forbidden from working as a lawyer on cases against the Bermuda Government, Mr Crockwell endured a raid on his house this week by three immigration officers over an alleged illegal worker hired as a cleaner.

The Southampton West Central MP said he agreed with the former Premier, Ewart Brown, that when a black man stood up to the powers that be, “they come after you”.

“When I was growing up, my uncles told me stories about how if you went up against the establishment, you could get your mortgage pulled,” he said.

“I used to think it was an exaggeration. I don’t anymore; I’m living it.”

Mr Crockwell claimed that the OBA had failed to broaden its social perspective since it formed through the merger of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance and United Bermuda Party in 2011.

He added: “The BDA represented a progressive and grassroots political philosophy, (bringing) young and new people into politics, while the UBP represented experience and a fiscal conservative political philosophy. “The plan was to grow as a grassroots party. But, particularly under the current leadership, the OBA has embraced the methodology of the UBP: a philosophy of ‘my way is the right way’.”

Mr Crockwell stepped down as Minister of Tourism Development and Transport in March, after widespread demonstrations and industrial action over immigration proposals brought Bermuda to a standstill.

In the aftermath of the unrest, he chastised the ruling party for its disconnect from the wider community and its poor leadership.

During the motion to adjourn, Mr Crockwell explained that he had grown frustrated that his views were largely ignored by Government during the protests.

“I was not just there to be window dressing. I expected to have influence,” he said.

“But time and time again, that old UBP philosophy would prevail.”

Mr Crockwell said that, despite wanting to go independent after resigning from Cabinet, he had remained in the OBA as an “olive branch” and to avoid creating confusion or instability in the Government.

Meanwhile he returned to practising law at the firm of his party colleague Mark Pettingill — where he received a letter from Attorney-General Trevor Moniz forbidding all lawyers at Pettingill & Co Ltd from representing any client against the Government.

Calling the move “unheard of” and “totally absurd”, Mr Crockwell said: “I was astonished to be told by a former Cabinet colleague that I cannot freely practise my profession in my country. That is economic intimidation.

“The Government is the largest entity and employer in Bermuda. If this instruction is followed, it will completely paralyse (Mr Pettingill’s) practice and destroy at least 60 per cent of mine.”

In his speech, Mr Crockwell made some conciliatory gestures towards both the OBA and Michael Dunkley, the Premier, whom he called “my friend for many years”.

“In my preparation for today, I drafted multiple speeches to try and get the right balance,” he said.

“The first draft was way too harsh, the second draft was way too emotional. Then I said a prayer, and the answer that came back was, ‘Just tell the truth, and the truth shall set you free.’”

He added: “This is not an ambush; I have met with the Premier and expressed my concerns with him.

“To date, I have not received any satisfactory response.

“I feel it has now become unworkable for me to remain in this organisation.

“There are good people in this Government, but there are some who can’t shake the old UBP way, and for that I have to resign.”

Later last night, Mr Dunkley issued a statement calling Mr Crockwell’s decision a “very disappointing development”.

“He is a very capable and talented individual and the people of Bermuda could have continued to benefit by his remaining an active, committed member of the Government,” he said.

“But that is not the case today. We will continue our work to return economic security and opportunity that was lost to thousands of Bermudians in recent years.

“I know for a fact that Shawn wants to see that happen, and so we look forward to working with him to continue moving the island forward in ways that work for Bermudians who want a better life. Prior to Shawn’s announcement in the House today, he raised a number of issues with me, and I have assured him that I will look into them and deal with them in the most appropriate way.”

UPDATE: Includes more excerpts from Crockwell’s resignation speech