convicted bank robber as an example to young Bermudians who have gone astray.

Mr. Wade made the comment while defending his choice of Mr. Rolfe Patton Commissiong as the PLP candidate for Paget East.

Mr. Commissiong, 37, served more than five years of an eight-year prison sentence after admitting in 1984 to robbing the Southampton Princess branch of the Bank of Butterfield at gunpoint.

But Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness yesterday said he was very surprised by the PLP's selection of Mr. Commissiong: "He is the wrong kind of role model for young people of this country. I do not think a bank robber should be an example to young people.

"It's like holding up a drug addict and saying just because he is reformed he is an example to others.''