journalist in a controversy surrounding his work permit.

Immigration advisor Laverne Furbert called for Raymond Hainey's work permit to be revoked after one story he wrote on the Boycott Bermuda website.

She said Scotsman Mr. Hainey took a "perverse pleasure'' from the website's "successes'', following the collapse of the Rebecca Middleton murder trial.

But Mr. Dunkley said: "I'm quite concerned about Ms Furbert's comments and I'm concerned to see somebody want to shoot the messenger.

"Mr. Hainey was just doing his job in reporting. Having reviewed all the articles, I really can't say he hasn't been fair.

"Sometimes we aren't comfortable with the news that is printed but that doesn't mean it should be blocked.

"Ms Furbert has a position on the Immigration Advisory Council and I'm concerned she used the media to get this message across, via a letter to the editor,'' he said. "She should have discussed any grievance in private with the Immigration advisory panel or the Minister, Paula Cox.

"We can't have threats aimed at people with validly obtained work permits.

People can't be told the hatchet is ready to drop if they don't write what we want them to write.'' Ms Cox is off the Island but Acting Immigration Minister Lois Browne Evans said journalists' work permits were unlikely to be reviewed, adding that she would not support any campaign aimed at an individual.