The chairman of the defence board yesterday hit back at suggestions from Senator David Burch that the selection process for the new Commanding Officer of the regiment was unjust.

Sen. Burch sparked controversy on Wednesday when he said Governor Sir John Vereker should be recalled for allowing the new CO, Lt. Col William White, to be chosen by a defence board headed by a civilian, Garry Madeiros.

A former Regiment Commander himself, Sen. Burch said the selection process had unjustly overlooked the most suitable candidate for ?political and personal reasons? and called for Mr. Madeiros to be removed from his position.

He said: ?The person who won every contest they had is not the CO today,? and claimed people had interceded in the selection process. The Minister ? who stressed that he was not criticising Lt. Col White ? added: ?You have an injustice visited upon someone who continues to serve and I want to ensure this type of injustice does not occur again.?

It was not clear to whom Sen. Burch was referring in this remark. However, the reported at the time of the selection process that the two frontrunners besides William White were Majors Marc Telemaque and Brian Gonsalves.

Refuting Sen. Burch?s allegations yesterday, Mr. Madeiros said: ?Although the Minister suggests that he?s in no way making disparaging remarks towards the CO and that he supports him, it?s kind of hard to believe based on his statements challenging the process that put the CO in position.?

Although sources close to the Regiment yesterday told that there was a firm foundation for Sen. Burch?s suggestions that the customary selection process was not followed, Mr. Madeiros moved to defend it.

?I can very comfortably say that the decision made was an appropriate one. It followed a very clear process, and it was fair and objective,? he said. ?The Minister suggested that the decision made was against the recommendations of the board or against some other decision that took place. Nothing could be further from the truth. The process followed was ethical and appropriate, and the best person for the job was chosen.?

He said that the final decision on the appointment rested with the Governor, and that while the promotions board makes recommendations, it has no authority. He also stressed the strong military influence within the defence board and the promotions board ? both of which he heads up. He pointed out that five out of nine on the defence board are military ? including an ex US Army Colonel and an ex CO of the Regiment ? and three out of five on the promotions board.

?I?m not making a military decision. I don?t have a military background to do that,? said Mr. Madeiros, who is president and CEO of Belco. ?What I hopefully bring is some structure and some leadership.?

Governor Sir John Vereker said when Lt. Col White?s appointment was announced that he was chosen after a lengthy selection process including examination of reports, two sets of interviews and an assessment by outside selectors.

Asked whether anything about the traditional selection process had been changed this time around, Mr. Madeiros said it had been expanded by bringing in the outside assessors from Canada. He said the three candidates went through a comprehensive process taking in military accomplishments as well as leadership and relationship skills.

Asked about allegations being made by sources close to the Regiment that the person who came top in this assessment was not chosen, he replied: ? That?s not what the assessment is all about. It?s not about who is first, second or third. It?s about leadership qualities. It was a determination of each one of them.?

Asked what could have prompted Sen. Burch?s remarks if this was the case, he said: ?Unfortunately, I have no idea what prompts Minister Burch to say some of the things he does. It?s unfortunate that sometimes he says some things that quite frankly misrepresent the truth. He could be basing it on other people?s input.?

United Bermuda Party deputy leader Michael Dunkley also criticised Sen. Burch for his remarks. ?Why did he not make a big deal about it until now? Why wait to undermine the person (Lt. Col. White), because when you make comments like that it does affect the person and how they are looked upon by the community,? he said.

Mr. Dunkley also defended Mr. Madeiros as a competent individual to hold the post with a long track record serving on boards and working within the community.

Neither Sen. Burch nor Lt. Col White responded to requests for comment yesterday.