Former Premier Alex Scott has warned Government could expose itself to accusations of corruption by soliciting large donations for Progressive Labour Party funds from foreign benefactors.

He spoke out after the announcement that Premier Ewart Brown would host a major party fundraising event — with top packages priced as high as $25,000.

The Premier's four-day Gala Weekend is being pitched both overseas and locally with benefits including a seat at the 'Leader's Roundtable Breakfast' hosted by the Premier and photo opportunities with Dr. Brown.

Mr. Scott told The Royal Gazette: "You have to be careful. I am not passing judgement on the Premier's intentions but everyday as Premier I would find folks who wanted to bring money to Bermuda, invest in Bermuda and participate in our very, very successful economy.

"It's not difficult to attract money. But it is what that money wants to be done on its behalf you have to be wary of. You have to be wary of folks who can literally buy into Government by donating to it."

He said some might donate because they support the goals of the PLP while others might want something in return.

"I heard some large figures. You have to watch out for sweetheart deals."

As an example he said gaming interests had lobbied when he was Premier but had been resisted.

If such a lobby group donated and gaming prohibitions were lifted people would make an assumption of corruption said Mr. Scott.

"People will say 'Oh, that is the same individual who gave a large sum to the party'. The party should be wary of this sort of largess from outside."

But the former Premier defended his handling of the pay-to-play allegations surrounding a fundraising lunch in Washington D.C. in 2002 where guests paid $2,500 towards Dr. Brown's personal General Election fund.

It is alleged that guests were all current and potential money managers and stockbrokers of the Bermuda Government pension funds.

PFIC Chairman Calvin White was suspended soon after following revelations he organised a fundraising golf day for the Progressive Labour Party and invited 47 money managers from the United States who were vying for Government business.

The affair led to a Government-sanctioned review of the administration of public pension funds which the Opposition branded a "complete whitewash".

But Mr. Scott said: "What I was seen to do publicly and what I did behind the scenes were two different things.

"I didn't leave any pay to play in place and I think the Minister of Finance felt equally strongly about it."

Asked if he was worried it would resurface he said: "Let's wait and see.

"Everybody knew that I didn't support that approach to our business and anyone involved in it had a conversation with me and had promised they would address the circumstances behind it."

He said the practice wasn't as extensive as it was made out by the Opposition. It wasn't as threatening to our good governance as it could have been but it could have been the seed of something more and I left no one in any doubt about how I felt about it."