The fate of the governing One Bermuda Alliance appeared to hang in the balance this weekend after two MPs mulled leaving the party to become independents after a crackdown on protests outside Parliament.

The Royal Gazette understands that OBA members were called to a meeting yesterday to discuss the party’s future, with MPs Leah Scott and Mark Pettingill said to be horrified after riot police armed with pepper spray quelled demonstrators outside the House of Assembly.

Both viewed the protest against plans to redevelop the airport — called for the night before by Opposition leader David Burt — as peaceful, and had serious concerns about the “show of force” deployed by law enforcers. However party members last night remained tight-lipped about what was said during the meeting, and what the outcome was.

Southampton East Central MP Ms Scott spoke to The Royal Gazette over the weekend but declined to comment on whether she was considering resigning, while Warwick North East MP Mr Pettingill last night declined the opportunity to comment.

The loss of two MPs would prove a devastating blow to the OBA’s already narrow lead in the House of Assembly.

Speaking a day before the OBA meeting, Ms Scott said: “I’m very disappointed that there was no consideration given to the fact that our families were out there and that riot police were engaged on a peaceful protest.”

Calling it “a very, very sad day”, Ms Scott said the treatment of protesters showed “no understanding of the history”, with Friday marking the 39th anniversary of the protests prompted by the hangings of Erskine “Buck” Burrows and Larry Tacklyn.

The response “clearly demonstrated why the OBA is so hated among blacks in the community”, she said, adding: “It just clearly delineated the line between us and them.

“I watched the footage [of the protest] afterwards. I was disappointed with myself that I didn’t go.

“While on my way to the House, I was called to a meeting [of the OBA’s parliamentary group] at the Premier’s office.

“I am so angry with myself that I didn’t just get up and go. People may feel that I condoned what was going on because I wasn’t there, but I didn’t condone it.

“My understanding was that the police were there to open up the gates so that we could get into Parliament.

“I cannot condone the use of force and spraying. Grandchildren saw their grandparents being sprayed with pepper spray.

“That is an image they will never forget and I just cannot condone that.”

A separate source within the OBA, who asked not to be named, said there was a “high degree of discontent” among party members, including some in Cabinet, about Friday’s events.

The source said former Attorney-General Mr Pettingill was vocal at the parliamentary group meeting about not having “any form of police force”.

He was said to be “appalled and upset” in the aftermath, and subsequently considered whether to resign, having already been at loggerheads with the party leadership in recent months over other issues, including same-sex marriage.

Mr Pettingill did not support the protesters and felt they were attempting to impose “mob rule”.

But he felt the Government should have defused the situation by postponing the parliamentary session, where the airport deal was to be debated, and speaking to those gathered outside Sessions House.

“It was kneejerk,” said the source, about the police response. “Who showed up armed, carrying pepper spray?

“Who showed up wearing helmets? You are coming to do battle. It just ups the ante.”

Michael DeSilva, the Commissioner of Police, insisted on Friday that protesters had acted unlawfully, with some also attacking officers.

Mr DeSilva also called the use of pepper spray “proportionate” to disperse the crowd.