Fresh criticism over the Jetgate scandal is a distraction from the problems the island faces, the new leader of the One Bermuda Alliance said last night.

Craig Cannonier admitted that attacks over the controversial trip from Progressive Labour Party MP Christopher Famous and Ewart Brown, a former PLP premier, did not come as a surprise.

But he said: “We, as a public, need to move away from these character assassinations and move to the issues of this country. The issues of this country have nothing to do with Craig Cannonier. They have nothing to do with Chris Famous. They have everything to do with Mr and Mrs Bermuda.”

Mr Cannonier, who quit as premier in 2014 over Jetgate, was speaking after the OBA confirmed yesterday that he was the new leader of the party in the wake of a vote of no confidence in Jeanne Atherden by most of the Opposition MPs last month.

He was sworn is as Opposition leader last Monday and became party leader as well yesterday. Mr Famous yesterday called for Mr Cannonier to answer more questions over the Jetgate affair which had caused him to “resign in disgrace”.

He said: “Simply put, Bermudians deserve better. Bermuda has had only one premier in its history driven from office in disgrace — Craig Cannonier.

“Bermudians need to see for themselves and judge for themselves the original, unaltered report produced on the Jetgate scandal that Michael Dunkley and Craig Cannonier never allowed them to see.”

Mr Famous said police continued to investigate the Jetgate controversy, which involved a trip to the US in a private jet owned by an American business tycoon.

He said: “Questions still remain unanswered.”

But Mr Cannonier dismissed the attack as a “character assassination”.

He added: “It does nothing for the betterment of the issues of this country.”

Mr Cannonier said Mr Famous should focus his attention on ordinary Bermudians, who he claimed were being hit with higher taxes while the wealthy were left alone.

He added: “This is coming from a labour government, which should be, to its members, a major, major concern.”

Mr Cannonier said last Sunday that payments made to Dr Brown in compensation for cuts in fees for scans imposed under the former OBA government were “Robin Hood in reverse”.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, revealed on Friday that Dr Brown was expected to be given more than $1.2 million in total for losses at his two medical clinics after fees for diagnostic imaging scans were slashed in June last year.

Dr Brown declined to respond to Mr Cannonier’s broadside.

He said: “Maybe after the Jetgate explanation.”

Mr Cannonier said yesterday that Dr Brown had hidden behind privilege during the 2016 Commission of Inquiry into allegations of impropriety in public spending.

He added: “He is a man who would not talk to the public about their money. How duplicitous can you be?”

Mr Cannonier said that he was unable to comment more on Jetgate as the matter was still under police investigation.

He added that the public could expect a more outspoken and vocal Opposition in the days ahead.

He added: “This is definitely an effort on our behalf to ensure that Bermuda recognises that we are alive and well.

“Maybe not as well as we can be, but we will be.”

Mr Cannonier said that it was “a bit harsh” to say that Ms Atherden had failed to provide the strong leadership needed from the Opposition.

But he added: “I do believe people were looking to see more of a presence.

“I’m not here to say that our former leader failed, per se, but what I do believe is that the public were looking for more from us.”

Mr Cannonier said his Shadow Cabinet and Senate team would be announced over the next few days.

Nandi Outerbridge, already replaced in Senate by former OBA chairman Nick Kempe, and Simone Barton, a former OBA election candidate, have both been nominated for the post of chairwoman.

A special general meeting will be held next Friday to elect the new chairwoman.

Michael Dunkley, who replaced Mr Cannonier as premier, ruled himself out of contention for the leadership race earlier yesterday.