tough stance with the UK Government over new rules for international business.

And he took a swipe at the Opposition Progressive Labour Party for "undermining'' the Premier's efforts on behalf of Bermuda.

Sen. Richards said: "It's clear from all reports that the United Bermuda Party Government is moving decisively and effectively to protect and advance Bermuda's future and prosperity.

"Premier Gordon and her team have responded firmly, correctly and carefully to Great Britain's initial proposals that Bermuda change some of its laws and procedures.

"However, comments by the Opposition are undermining not only the Premier's efforts on behalf of all Bermudians, Opposition comments are also demonstrating that the PLP doesn't really understand business and how Bermuda's jobs and prosperity are created.'' Sen. Richards was speaking after The Royal Gazette revealed that the UK wanted to increase its influence over the offshore business conducted from its colonies.

The UK is understood to have put pressure on the just-renamed Overseas Territories to write "dual criminality'' into its law books.

That would make it a crime in Bermuda for someone to commit a tax offence under British law and other legal systems and it is feared Bermuda's business books could be opened to "fishing expeditions.'' But Ms Gordon told British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook at a UK -- Caribbean Forum in the Bahamas that any such changes would be "an intolerable burden'' to Bermuda -- quite apart from the "ethical considerations'' of legitimate business people being entitled to privacy in their financial affairs.

The Premier last Thursday called a meeting of international business heads at Cabinet Office to discuss the UK threat.

And one warned afterwards that the Island's offshore business could be "severely damaged'' if Britain were to get its way.

Sen. Richards hit out at the political climate hots up in the expectation of an early General Election -- perhaps as soon as April or May.

He claimed that the Opposition's comments on the UK -- Bermuda stand-off was bad for business confidence in the Island.

He added: "Even if they claim to have cleared away their murky vision, their further attacks on the process of consultation now underway make it evident that they do not really support the business community.'' And he insisted: "Bermudians are fortunate indeed that it is the United Bermuda Party Government lead by Premier Gordon which is handling these complex and vitally important negotiations -- Bermuda's job security and future prosperity depend on it.''