disciplined by the Premier after launching an offensive in the Upper House against top figures at Warwick Camp, a Shadow Minister said yesterday.

Opposition Home Affairs and Public Safety spokesman Michael Dunkley said: "It was wrong and improper for this matter to be brought to the Senate Chamber.

"Public comments like this will undermine the authority of the Regiment and its Commanding Officer.'' And he accused Lt. Col. Burch of sowing dissent in the ranks of the Island's part-time Army.

Mr. Dunkley said: "One can only assume that his intent is to divide the Regiment and cause severe morale problems.'' He added: "He is a former Commanding Officer and he knows the proper channels -- by choosing to ignore them, he's damaging the Regiment and the public's confidence in it.'' The news came as Regiment insiders claimed rebel officers had approached Lt.

Col. Burch to ask if he would be prepared to resume command if current CO Lt.

Col. Patrick Outerbridge quit or was forced out.

The Shadow Minister launched a counterattack after Lt. Col. Burch, who stood down as CO nearly a year-and-a-half ago, appeared to call for changes at the top of the Warwick Camp hierarchy.

Lt. Col. Burch spoke out after The Royal Gazette revealed a mini-mutiny in the Regiment's Officers' Mess.

It was reported that a group of mainly black officers felt out of step with the direction the Regiment was taking under CO Lt. Col. Outerbridge and Royal Anglian Regiment staff officer Major David Napier.

The rebels called for top infantry specialist Maj. Napier to be sent back to England -- and warned the officer corps was splitting along racial lines.

Now a special task force has been set up to try and bring peace to the Regiment.

Mr. Dunkley said: "Lt. Col. Burch's approach is highly unethical, lacks integrity and I believe the people of Bermuda find it totally unacceptable.

"This kind of behaviour is more expected of a PLP Opposition -- not a PLP Government.'' He added that Lt. Col. Burch, also chief of staff at the Cabinet Office, was Premier Jennifer Smith's "right hand man'' -- and if she didn't know what he was going to say, she should have done.

But Ms Smith defended Sen. Burch, saying his views should be welcomed (See story, Page 2).

Mr. Dunkley said: "In my opinion, and in the opinion of a broad cross-section who have contacted me, he should be severely reprimanded by the Premier and perhaps consideration should be given to his resignation.'' Other Regiment officers have defended their CO and said some soldiers always had trouble with overseas advisors.

MP calls on Burch to resign on plans to modernise training in a bid to attract and retain recruits.

Mr. Dunkley said: "I am asking what is the real agenda -- there is more going on than Lt. Col. Burch is talking about. One wonders if he wants the job himself.'' But yesterday Lt. Col. Burch was unrepentant -- and brushed off the attack by Mr. Dunkley.

And he denied he had been sounded out about returning to the Regiment for a three-year stint until another officer can qualify for senior command.

Lt. Col. Burch said: "I place no value whatsoever on the comments of a lightweight MP who has no history, no knowledge and probably no interest in the Bermuda Regiment.'' And -- in a reference to Governor Thorold Masefield -- he said he had not been approached by anyone about resuming command.

He said: "There is only one person who has the authority to do that and he hasn't done that.'' But he admitted he would seriously consider returning to the military if asked -- even though it would mean leaving Senate.

He said: "I probably would -- I have a great love for the Regiment and I think my comments are based on my experience and knowledge of people I have served with in the Regiment.

"My role was to leave it in a position where it went from strength to strength -- not collapse when I left.'' MILITARY MIL