Bermudians without British ties could still retain UK citizenship after Independence believes Premier Ewart Brown.

His Government has asked Overseas Territories Minister Lord Triesman to investigate after claiming the policy of denying British citizenship to certain categories of Bermudians could be discriminatory.

Premier Brown said: ?We shared with him our concern about whether Bermudians after Independence would have British citizenship.

?We were concerned about a statement from Government House suggesting after Independence only Bermudians with parents or grandparents from Britain would be granted British citizenship.

?We wanted him to clarify that. The Attorney General?s opinion and mine is that could very well be considered discriminatory against those Bermudians who don?t have those familial ties.?

The issue was raised in a one-to-one meeting with Lord Triesman yesterday.

Dr. Brown said: ?He said he would look into that and if he thought it was unfair he would work to change it.

?The UK was a signatory to dual or multiple citizenship so we said all Bermudians should get it.?

Asked about Lord Triesman?s response to the request Dr. Brown said: ?He didn?t justify it which gives us some hope.

?It?s not like that for the Falklands or Gibraltar ? their constitution says they can retain their British citizenship, despite Independence.

?That?s an agreement with the British, it?s a different set up.?

Asked why the issue was important he said: ?Because it will help us get support for Independence. I think it?s fair. It?s neither here nor there for some people but for some others it is, so we would like to remove any of the obstacles.?

He said there was no indication of when there would be a decision from Britain.