United Bermuda Party candidate Bob Richards has slammed Premier Ewart Brown for blaming his press secretary for confusion over how the PLP plan to eventually take Bermuda to Independence.

Last week press secretary Glenn Jones said: "The truth is: Independence will be decided by referendum."

Repeated requests from The Royal Gazette for the Premier to publicly say he supported a referendum, only led to a statement that he had: "Nothing to add."

However, when asked his views on a referendum by a United Bermuda Party supporter on Facebook this week Dr. Ewart Brown said: "The Press Secretary made a mistake.

"He meant to say that the UK has said that the method would be a referendum.

"Since he understands the colonial relationship, he thought he had it right. My party's official position has not changed — that is that we prefer to do it via a General Election."

Mr. Richards said the Premier had remained quiet but had now indicated the PLP was sticking to its long-held belief of putting the issue at a general election.

He said the about face was a clear indication of a Government in turmoil and confusion which could not be trusted.

Mr. Richard added: "Everyone makes mistakes. What separates great leaders from the others is they accept responsibility for when things go awry under their watch instead of blaming subordinates. The Premier's blaming his press secretary was unseemly. And this wasn't even a public statement. It was a backdoor missive via Facebook."

The UBP believe independence should be decided by referendum. Premier Brown said this week that this election will not be a basis for launching an independence campaign.