Opposition spokesman on Economic Opportunity Jamahl Simmons threw down the gauntlet yesterday in response to recent comments made by Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown.

Speaking to an international audience at the African Heritage Conference last week, Dr. Brown insisted that Government had been hampered in its efforts to ?reverse years of economic injustice against the majority?.

?In 2006 we are still forced as a Government to defend policies that are aimed at empowering a majority of the population and made to consult with representatives of the majority,? Dr. Brown said.

The comments sparked outrage, both from the Opposition United Bermuda Party and political commentators, who claimed the Tourism Minister was talking ?fiction? and deliberately ?pandering and misleading? his audience.

Critics pointed out that, after eight years in office, Government had failed to produce any initiatives to promote economic empowerment.

Asked to defend his comments this week, Dr. Brown told the : ?No comment on any of this at this time. I would prefer to wait until an election is called.?

Said Mr. Simmons: ?When it comes to empowerment this Government quite simply doesn?t have a leg to stand on.?

Yesterday Mr. Simmons suggested that Dr. Brown was trying to ?deceive? the public and said even backbenchers were disappointed with Government?s record.

He also pointed out that, as well as putting forward proposals for economic empowerment, the Opposition had produced a draft Code of Conduct for MPs in a bid to stamp out divisive rhetoric. Both proposals were rejected by Government.

?I do actually have a lot of time and respect for the Minister,? Mr. Simmons said.

?He?s done a lot of good work with the project in North Hamilton and he?s done a lot to improve the image of this Government. I also think he?s been very good at raising the profile of tourism, although they have changed the boundaries of what is successful.

?But I also really have a problem with leaders who try and divide people in order to stay in power ? it appeals to people?s worst instincts and our biggest downfall will come about if we turn on each other.

?What I am hoping for is that, in the next Throne Speech, they will come out with some bills and timelines and targets. This is all about accountability and we have no accountability with this Government.

?This Government?s record speaks for itself and even their own colleagues are not happy about it ? just speak to some of the backbenchers. This Government was given a mandate for change but in eight years they have done nothing to address any inequalities in society.

?One minute you have a Minister saying a company was awarded a contract on merit, the next it was awarded it because of economic empowerment. They need a clear, structured agenda. Other jurisdictions all over the world can tell you what they are doing to address the imbalances in society. This Government can?t because they have no policies ? I really don?t see why that?s a big secret.?

It is not the first time Dr. Brown has been accused of using racially-charged rhetoric. During the last General Election he told a public rally that a vote for the the UBP would be a vote ?back to the plantation?.

Following his party?s victory in that election in 2003, Dr. Brown acknowledged to supporters that Government had deliberately kept secret a plot to eject then-Premier Dame Jennifer Smith from office.

?Once again the Minister is trying to deceive us,? Mr. Simmons said yesterday.

?Remember what was said at the last General Election ? ?I had to deceive you?. I think he?s trying to deceive us again.?