Top Opposition MPs yesterday snubbed the opening of a mini-summit of Caribbean colonies of the UK and Bermuda.

Progressive Labour Party leader Jennifer Smith did not show for the opening ceremony of the conference.

And deputy leader Eugene Cox and senior Shadow Minister Alex Scott, who speaks on Labour and Home Affairs, were also absent.

The move struck a sour note at the opening -- launched with a trumpet fanfare from the Bermuda Regiment.

Ms Smith -- who will lead a six-strong PLP delegation to the full conference -- was even mentioned in Premier Pamela Gordon's opening speech.

Later Ms Gordon admitted she was taken aback by the non-attendance of the PLP's top MPs.

She said: "I mentioned her out of respect for protocol. We were surprised they were not here. This was a serious occasion and representation of Bermuda.

We don't know why they weren't here.'' A spokesman for the Cabinet Office confirmed Ms Smith had phoned in her regrets some time prior to yesterday's opening ceremony, although he was not aware of the reasons for the no-show.

Ms Smith said last night the invitation was received at short notice and declined the next day -- although she could not remember exactly when it was received.

She added she had a prior engagement which she had been unable to break.

Party spokesman Michael Scott said: "We are not opposed to having a unified voice and we will see attempts being made by the Opposition in pursuing all avenues to see where we can agree in the best interests of the Island.'' The PLP, however, was represented at the opening ceremony. Among those present were Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Renee Webb, Deputy Speaker Stanley Lowe, Shadow Works and Engineering Minister Stanley Morton and Ottiwell Simmons.

Ms Webb sought permission to attend the closed sessions as an observer, but was told the chief ministers wished to keep attendance restricted to delegates only.

The non-attendance by the ranking Opposition figures comes only a week after Ms Smith criticised Government for not taking next month's Dependent Territories Association conference in London seriously enough.

And she took a swipe at Premier Pamela Gordon, accusing her of putting off making a decision on attending the London conference and of not acting in a spirit of cooperation with the PLP on Bermuda's position.