Anti-draft campaigners met British MPs yesterday - telling them Bermudian men should have the same rights as those in the UK where conscription was abolished decades ago.

Bermudians Against the Draft (B.A.D) requested the meeting with representatives from the Foreign Affairs Committee, including anti conscription MP Andrew MacKinlay, after sending written complaints last year.

Those listed allegations of physical and verbal abuse and racism towards conscripts - allegations denied by Regiment Commander William White in his own written submission to the committee.

The MPs are probing standards of good governance, transparency and accountability, the role of Governors and regulation of the financial sector. The committee is made up of back bench MPs from Government and Opposition parties who will make recommendations to the British Parliament.

Describing yesterday's private meeting at Government House, B.A.D founder Larry Marshall Sr. said he pointed to a statement from the then British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw in 2006 saying citizens of overseas territories should have the same rights as enjoyed in Britain.

Conscription was abolished there in the aftermath of the Second World War and Bermuda is the only overseas territory where men are made to do mandatory military service.

"They went very quiet because they knew I was absolutely right," claimed Mr. Marshall after the meeting. "They were very attentive and I think what resonated with the MPs from Britain was that I was quoting from their own foreign policy."

He expressed hope that B.A.D can travel to London to address the whole Foreign Affairs Committee at a later date.

Meanwhile, Regiment Commander William White invited the MPs to a meeting at Warwick Camp on Tuesday where, he told The Royal Gazette yesterday, they appeared satisfied with the written responses he had already provided to the B.A.D allegations.

He added: "Full and frank discussions were held on the current and future roles of the Regiment. As to conscription, discussions covered alternative models of recruitment ranging from a full time volunteer force to compulsory national service. Non-military national service commitments were also raised.

"The ongoing issue of the status of the Bermuda Regiment was given consideration by the FAC members. This covered UK military training support and Foreign and Commonwealth Office assistance to the Regiment. Comparisons were made between the level of support provided to the overseas territories, Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth countries."

The report of the Foreign Affairs Committee is expected to be completed by the summer and the UK Government will have to respond within two months. The committee will still accept submissions e-mailed within the next two weeks to foraffcom@parliament.uk. Visit the website at www.parliament.uk/facom.