Fears that treatment provided at the Brown-Darrell Clinic could provide false hope to patients fly in the face of the message from Premier Ewart Brown's Progressive Labour Party colleagues.

After the Stemedica project was announced in July, the PLP website reported: "Dr. Brown is creating hope. The ultimate hope. Hope for millions who suffer from debilitating illnesses. The hope for a cure."

It said the US National Institute of Health had noted it was important to pursue all lines of research for stem cells, adding: "Dr. Brown is making sure that Bermuda makes a contribution to this medical revolution."

The article came under attack from Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson, who said the PLP should not be seeking to gain political brownie points from Dr. Brown's private business.

However, PLP chairman David Burt asked why the party should be barred from talking about "the good things Ewart Brown does".