MPs reacted strongly yesterday to being left in the dark over the resettlement of four Guantánamo detainees in Bermuda.

House of Assembly debate was dominated by angry criticism at Premier Dr. Ewart Brown's sudden announcement on Thursday that the Chinese Muslims were to be granted asylum on the Island.

Earlier in the session, Opposition Leader Kim Swan called for motion of no confidence in the Premier.

He said: "I raise to introduce a motion of no confidence that this House has no confidence in the Government led by Premier Ewart Brown."

John Barritt, Shadow Minister of Legislative and Public Administration Reform, then urged MPs to act on the motion "ASAP".

Criticising the Premier's actions as "reprehensible", Shawn Crockwell, Shadow Minister of Immigration and Labour, said the people of Bermuda felt "disrespected and confused".

"They woke up yesterday morning not to find out information in our daily newspapers or on the Government website but they woke up to learn from the foreign papers that four detainees from Guantánamo Bay can be resettled here in their country and most people today don't think it was real, they thought it had to be a joke because how could something so important occur without the knowledge of the people of this country," he said.

"But as the day went on we all learned it was indeed true that a decision had been made, apparently a unilateral decision, an agreement with the US Government that we would accept these detainees in the absence of any vetting of these four men."

Mr. Crockwell said: "But what was most striking was the statement by US Attorney General Eric Holder that, 'The transfer of detainees to Bermuda will make America safer'.

"I was shocked when I read that because there is an assurance that by accepting these detainees makes Bermuda less safe. And as an MP who do I answer the concerned mother who comes to me and asks how do we allow this risk.

"It is a risk we have no business getting involved in."

Mr. Crockwell said the Constitutional process had been "disrespected".

"This is about the Premier of this country making a decision on national security, making a decision of national importance without consulting, number one, the Governor.

"I know the Premier does not like the relationship we have with the UK but nevertheless we are under the law and under the Constitution.

"But this proposal did not come before this honourable House and did not get the input from the representatives of the people of Bermuda. That is what I find reprehensible and most disrespectful.

"At least there should have been some form of warning to the people of Bermuda. And now today to hear from Mr. Perinchief that the Cabinet was not even consulted, if that is true I would hope every Cabinet member will resign in disgust that such a decision could be made without their ratification.

"Most of them are here today and I hope they stand up and confirm or deny whether there was Cabinet consultation."

He added: "There are a plethora of reports that these men have received training associated with al Qaeda. What are we to believe."

Mr. Crockwell added: "I would like an explanation why the US is not accepting them."

He said: "Today we have to deal with an international crisis that has been created by one man and so I invite the honourable members of this Chamber to make a stand today. Not only are the people of this country watching but international countries and we have made, through the Premier, a colossal mistake and it is time we correct it."

Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Shadow Minister of Works and Engineering, said: "We are still a British colony whether we like it or not and in that position we should have said, let us go and see what Prime Minister Gordon Brown has to say.

"Are we going to be so arrogant in our dealings and so self-centred, that because we don't like the status quo we will make the rules ourselves.

"That is not what the people of Bermuda expect or deserve."

E.T. (Bob) Richards, Shadow Minister of Finance, said: "This debate recalls the words of a famous person of American history, 'We are a country of laws, not men' (John Adams: "We are a government of laws and not of men").

"I believe that was said with respect to American democracy and it also applies to our democracy and what it means in the context of the Uighurs.

"But the Premier of this country has raised himself above the law of this country."

Mr. Richards said Dr. Brown had gone against the Constitution of Bermuda in that foreign affairs were a matter for the Governor and "Her Majesty's Government".

"He had no authority to do this."

He added: "No man stands above the law in this country or any other which is a democracy."

Mr. Richards said: "The Premier has made a statement to the world and Her Majesty's Government has to make a decision whether to veto the Premier or kowtow to the Premier. It's a classic Hobson's choice here."

Describing his actions as "disrespectful", he added: "This is a very, very dark day for Bermuda.

"We have a Premier who has overstepped his mark and I don't know how we can get back from this place. There's egg on everyone's face.

"We've got newspapers putting Bermuda in a light now which was inconceivable before yesterday. Who would have ever connected the name of Bermuda with terrorism. It's unthinkable."

However, Michael Scott, Junior Minister of Justice, said the Opposition were using "inflammatory" language.

He urged the people of Bermuda to "be decent" to the four former detainees and to welcome them.

"This helps to mature our democracy. Do not run away from it, learn from it," he said.

"It strengthens us so please keep it in this context and let's not take it to xenophobic announcements about strangers in our midst.

"We have won the thanks of the Obama administration and this could pay out dividends."