United Bermuda Party Telecommunications spokesman Trevor Moniz has blasted opposite number Renee Webb for plugging Bermuda?s newest radio station.

The Telecommunications Minister has been featured on Hott 107 saying the words: ?Hi, this is Renee Webb Minister of Tourism, Telecommunications and E-Commerce... and I?m ?committed to switch? to Hott 107.5 FM. Stay tuned.?

It is understood that ?committed to switch? is the station?s motto and plays a featured role in its promotions.

The 24-hour station began broadcasting last week and has Government MP Glenn Blakeney as its president and managing director and prominent Progressive Labour Party supporter Scott Pearman as chief operating officer.

Mr. Moniz said: ?I don?t think it?s against the law or the regulations but do I think it?s inappropriate? Yes. Insensitive? Yes. Is anyone going to be surprised Renee Webb did it? No. It?s the sort of stuff she thrives on.

?But if there is any dispute between Hott radio and someone else, they would say it is bias, that she?s stepping down from ministerial objectivity, from the ministerial arena into the commercial and corporate arena. It?s inappropriate and unseemly.?

However Ms Webb denied she had done an advert. She said she had visited Hott 107?s studio and had been asked to do a ?shout out? which she did.

?They ran it until Monday when it was pulled when it was brought to my attention they were running it over and over again.?

She said she had been excited about the new station.

DeFontes Broadcasting and Bermuda Broadcasting Company unsuccessfully objected to the plans for the new radio station, claiming there was not enough advertising to go around. understands both companies are unhappy about Ms Webb?s advert.

Last night Telecommunications Director William Francis said there had been one verbal query about the segment but no formal written complaint.

And he also took the minister?s line that it wasn?t an endorsement.

He said: ?It is normal for any Minister to congratulate any new interest in the market. Unfortunately it was taken the wrong way. We hear it has now been withdrawn.?