Plans for a government TV station and office in London were branded as ?empire building? tactics by a UBP senator yesterday.

Senator ET (Bob) Richards was speaking after Sen. Larry Mussenden outlined Government?s stance on the initiatives.

Sen. Mussenden said the office would help Bermuda gain influence with key people in the British political and business arenas, and help promote tourism. On the subject of the TV station he said the Government had done research with people a year ago and had now listened to their concerns.

He cited a number of comments from un-named people in favour of having such a station including one that: ? The media only tells you what they want you to hear.?

He promised that once it is up and running, the station will provide ?a wider lens than the national media? and will maintain ?neutrality, credibility and balance? in showing Government at work.

When Opposition senators questioned whether Government would correct the alleged media bias by giving the UBP equal air time on the station, Sen. Mussenden responded that they would get on air: ?When you convince the people to vote for you.?

However, Sen. Richards said that Premier Alex Scott was trying to build an empire like Alexander The Great had 2000 years ago.

Firstly he criticised Government?s spending on travel as an excuse for ?boondoggles? ? tasks that waste money on trivial things.

He said that just because other jurisdictions have a London office, the Premier now wants one too. He added that he was concerned a Government station would be a propaganda tool but liked the idea that the Senate and House of Assembly could be televised.

?Particularly in the other place (the House of Assembly) a lot of the shenanigans that go on there would stop if Bermudian citizens could see their behaviour,? he said.