Premier Jennifer Smith should back or condemn Government Senate Leader Milton Scott over calls to axe Independent senators, a United Bermuda Party senator said yesterday.

Sen. Scott called on the Governor to dump the three Senate Independents for failing to live up to their role -- because they voted with the UBP to block Government legislation.

Sen. Kim Swan said: "I had hoped that by this time an apology or at least some sort of clarification would have been forthcoming from the Government.

"Sen. Scott's call for the Governor to remove all the Independent senators for daring to vote against the Government is an affront to the Constitution and the democratic system -- which installed the Government Sen. Scott represents.'' Sen. Swan said Sen. Scott had "alarmed many in the country'' and his statements were "detrimental to good governance'' -- as well as Bermuda's image.

"God forbid that Sen. Scott's views are truly those of the Government he serves.'' Sen. Scott -- also Education Minister -- lashed out on the final day of the Senate Session last week after the three Independents and the three UBP senators combined on votes.

The Government Senate leader accused the three of "playing footsie with each other and frustrating the people's business''.