Bermuda Industrial Union President Chris Furbert this afternoon issued a statement denying reports that he had threatened the Premier with withdrawal of support if she removed Derrick Burgess from the Cabinet.Reports this week had suggested that the BIU had thrown its weight behind the Transport Minister amid suggestions that he resign following the Auditor General’s report last week.But the statement (attached below) said: “BIU President Chris Furbert refutes claims made in the electronic media yesterday and today that he threatened Premier Cox with the withdrawal of support of the BIU membership if she removed former BIU President and now Deputy Leader and Minister of Transport, Derrick Burgess, from the Cabinet.”