Branch members who quit the United Bermuda Party along with Mark Pettingill have hit back at allegations the MP "categorically lied" about their departures.

Earlier this week, party chairman Jeff Sousa accused Mr. Pettingill of dishonestly claiming his Warwick West team also quit the UBP in support of his decision to resign and start a new party with fellow defecting MPs Shawn Crockwell and Donte Hunt.

However, branch chair Katherine Michelmore yesterday contacted The Royal Gazette to confirm she quit the party in support of Mr. Pettingill. Another branch member told this newspaper she resigned for the same reason.

Dr. Michelmore said in an e-mail: "I feel that I must write to correct an inaccurate statement printed in your article in The Royal Gazette on 27th October.

"Mr. Sousa is quoted as saying: 'It's categorically a lie that Mark's team resigned with him and are with him. Mark's team is one person. Mark's team had resigned before all this went down because they were disgusted with Mark Pettingill.'

"I was previously in the position of branch chair for Constituency 28 and it is true that I resigned following Mr. Pettingill's resignation from the UBP.

"Mr. Sousa however has never spoken to me regarding my resignation, and therefore his comments above are not based on fact.

"I resigned in full support of Mr. Pettingill and his decision to seek a better way forward for Bermuda. Mr. Pettingill and the other defectors have previously explained their reasons for leaving the UBP, and I am confident they will demonstrate their determination and commitment to effect constructive change in Bermuda's political landscape."

Another branch member who resigned would not be named, but told this newspaper: "I very much support Mark."

In his interview earlier in the week, Mr. Sousa also accused Mr. Hunt of standing up at a UBP meeting and telling the rest of the room: "It's not about all you, it's about me. I thought we would win the last election and I would be sitting on the backbench. I have two young daughters."

Mr. Hunt responded yesterday: "While personal attacks seem to be synonymous with the political arena, I refuse to engage in some back and forth banter with those who feel the need to initiate such digs.

"Not only is much of what is said irrelevant but it is both unproductive and the politics of old. Right now we need to place all of our efforts towards moving forward with an allegiance to putting Bermuda first.

"Crime and education in particular are areas that certainly are much more deserving of our attention than the 'he said she said' nonsense that has captured the headlines lately.

"I want to make myself very clear: I am accountable to my constituents and the people of Bermuda. I take my job as a representative in the House of Assembly very seriously and I will continue to fight for those who have entrusted me with this role."