Shadow Transport Minister Jamahl Simmons has called on his Government counterpart Ewart Brown to resign over the $4 million contracts lawsuit at Bermuda International Airport.

Last week revealed the Supreme Court had ruled in favour of the Hardell Group after the Attorney General's office failed to offer a legal defence to claims that the telecommunications company had been unfairly removed from an eight-year deal to provide multimedia services at the Airport.

A judgment in default was made against Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb and Transport Minister Dr. Brown, leaving the Government facing up to a $4 million claim.

Shadow Telecommunications Minister Trevor Moniz has described the loss of the legal action as "quite shocking" and accused Premier Alex Scott's Government of failing to show any of the promised "transparency and accountability".

Party colleague Mr. Simmons has called for Dr. Brown's head over the affair ? which began when the Transport Minister's cousin Walton Brown took over the service. "This is not some simple blunder," said Mr. Simmons.

"Dr. Brown's decision could lead to the taxpayers paying a heavy cost for what appears to be a personal vendetta between Government and a private business.

"In light of this Supreme Court decision, the Premier must seriously consider whether Dr. Brown is the right person to lead the Transport Ministry.

"The Supreme Court ruling against the Government means that every man, woman and child in Bermuda could be facing a hefty bill. Just imagine what could have been done with the taxpayer dollars that Dr. Brown has ruthlessly flushed away."

Mr. Simmons also questioned what kind of advice the Attorney General was giving the Cabinet, claiming "we thought the PLP brought an Attorney General into Cabinet to prevent this sort of thing from happening".

"In any business, if an employee's decision led to the loss of company funds on the scale of this potential loss, their job would be in jeopardy," he added.

"If you or I had done this we would be out on the street, looking for a new job ? we believe that politicians shouldn't be above the rules of the real world."

The damning remarks were echoed by Mr. Moniz, who also expressed deep concerns about the impact of losing the lawsuit.

"It is quite shocking that the Government is prepared to gamble with this amount of taxpayers money by not even mounting a legal defence," Mr. Moniz told .

"The public deserve some sort of explanation as to what happened and why there was no defence submitted even though it appears Government was contacted by Hardell's lawyers warning of the impending deadline. We have to look at the bigger picture here."

Government is facing at least two further lawsuits, one from Hardell over the issuing of cable broadcast licences and Mr. Moniz feels that the Telecommunications Ministry is just one operating in the absence of a "level playing field".

"There is a lot that needs to be sorted out in the telecommunications industry," he continued.

"There is a concern that the proper process was not followed. All people want is a level playing field.

"This Government has been promising accountability and transparency yet Minister Webb seems to be following her 'people who look like me' policy. There seem to be certain people who get what they want over here. There are questions about her friendships with certain people who get awarded contracts and it is up to her to allay those fears. A level playing field is in the public interest.

"Alex Scott has spoken about transparency and openness but he only seems to speak publicly when it suits his spin ? the shift in Government openness since he came to power does not seem to have materialised."

When contacted by last weekDr. Brown said it was a matter for the Attorney General's office and said he would not be making a comment.

Government lawyer Phil Perinchief said Government was now seeking a summons for the case to go before a judge and be heard on its merits.