By Matthew Taylor Bermuda is suffering from a purging process as it tackles its race problem says Government Minister Renee Webb . And she says the problem will get worse before it gets better. The Telecommunications Minister linked the curing of racial tensions with the need for independence which she said was long overdue. Ms Webb said: "I don't want anyone saying it's a surprise.

"We support independence, we supported it in the past and we still support it, it's just a matter of timing.

"The UK don't want any more dependent territories, they made that clear in 1976.'' She said poorer nations took pride from being free from the colonial yoke while Bermuda was fulfilling her pessimistic predication, made as a student, that it would be the last colony to break free.

"We are looking at the reformation of Bermuda.'' And Bermuda had nothing to fear from breaking its links with Britain said Ms Webb, who pointed out she was not anti-British. She said: "We support ourselves financially, Britain doesn't support Bermuda.

"It does in the cases of dependent territories to the south of us, except possibly the Caymans.'' But she said: "The only change that took place in this country was from people rioting. They were taken dragging and screaming.

"We are going through a uncomfortable and difficult time before we get to the place where we're going.

"It's going to get worse because some people are going to say `how dare we change the constitution, -- that's our document, we got it from the British'.'' "The day I see white people marching I know we are there because I know we did.

"One hopes eventually white and black people will march together hand in hand.

"We are going through a purging but we will get there in my lifetime. I believe Bermuda is becoming a more equitable society.

"I am not saying some people won't be prejudiced. The purging you see we will get over it. "What you are seeing is a healthy intellectual revolution without weapons.'' Renee Webb