dual nationalities was launched in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott's motion said the Constitution favoured foreign-born status Bermudians over Bermuda-born people who hold another nationality.

But last night Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness said the move would be opposed by Government -- and that status Bermudians and people who chose another nationality were in different boats.

The most high-profile individual affected by the current legal position is PLP MP Ewart Brown.

The Bermudian-born doctor came under fire last year over his eligibility to sit as an MP last year due to his acquired US nationality.

But Mr. Scott said: "It could be any born Bermudian -- nowhere else do they put a greater burden on their own people than on foreign-born people.

"Dr. Brown happens to be an example of that. But there are many Bermudians who have taken out citizenship in other countries.'' According to Mr. Scott, people who hold other nationalities and gain status through marriage or residence can sit as Senators or MPs.

But anyone born a Bermudian who swears allegiance to another flag has problems.

The Constitution bans any legislator who "is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.'' But Mr. Scott's motion -- set to be debated before the end of this Parliamentary session -- reads "therfore this House resolves to take immediate steps to have this discriminatory clause removed from our Constitution.'' Mr. Scott said United Bermuda Party Senator Larry Scott was US born but had Bermudian status, while UBP MP Kim Young was Australian-born with status.

He added: "I am not saying status Bermudians should not be allowed to sit -- but the Constitution should be changed to assist born Bermudians.'' But Mr. Edness said: "Mr. Scott is attempting to legitimise a clearly wrong act by Dr. Brown and clear the way so he can still swear allegiance to a foreign power and sit in Parliament.

"He should never have been allowed to become an MP -- he was ineligible.'' Mr. Edness added that the key phrase was "by virtue of his own act'' because Dr. Brown swore allegiance to the US knowing what he was doing, rather than just being born in a foreign country.

And Mr. Edness said: "Mr. Scott's got it all wrong -- these people who have status do not swear allegiance to a foreign power. They are a citizen of a Dependant Territory with status.