defended his party's primary candidate selection against an attack by an anonymous pressure group.

The attack, which came from within the UBP, criticised the party hierarchy for "encouraging a slate of potential candidates who are `slick pinstripe types with questionable motives and no empathy with most Bermudians'.'' In an article in the Mid-Ocean News , the Alpha Omega Group singled out Paget West primary candidates Mr. Terry West and Mr. Tim Smith, Smith's South primary challenger Dr. Grant Gibbons and UBP approved candidates Sen. Wendell Hollis, Mr. David Doyle and Sen. Jerome Dill.

"The United Bermuda Party has the most open and public candidate selection procedure of any political party,'' said Sir John, "a fact of which we are very proud. We have opened up our party to welcome potential candidates from all walks of life and through measures such as constitutional reform, are encouraging participation from a wide spectrum of Bermudians.'' Senators Wendell Hollis and Jerome Dill both agreed that the anonymous group did not know much about the candidates.

"I'm very distressed in particular as it seems to suggest that (those mentioned) hadn't had a great deal of community involvement,'' said Sen.

Hollis. "I've been back on the Island for over 20 years although I've only been in politics for the last nine months. I spent 12 years with the Bermuda Regiment, have done extensive work with the National Trust and served on numerous Government boards. They clearly didn't have their facts straight.'' He added that the group was either working on "their own personal agenda'' or "trying to promote someone else'' within the party.

Sen. Dill said although he was concerned, there was a positive side to the group.

"It should be clear to everybody that there is a movement within the UBP to change it,'' he said. "They not only lashed out at the candidates but also at the party hierarchy -- all the officials, the Premier and the Cabinet.'' Sen. Dill said it was apparent that the group was a "small one'' which probably felt excluded from the changes which are taking place in the UBP.

"They're probably part of the old UBP and see themselves as being excluded from the events. They've clearly done no research -- how can they say I'm lumped in with people nobody would vote for? I just won a primary. I've worked for years on the Human Rights Commission, I've been involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Operation Raleigh and the Road Safety Council and others.''