Prospective United Bermuda Party (UBP) members need to go through an "initiation of evil" to join the party, Government MP Rev. Wilbur Lowe said yesterday.

Rev. Lowe made the accusation regarding the controversy over UBP candidate Roger Russell's alleged involvement in getting information about the Berkeley School project from a civil servant.

Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott has already accused an approved UBP candidate - but never named Mr. Russell - in April of being "politically motivated" in trying to get details about the project, and he alleged it could have resulted in the school and the Progressive Labour Party Government being "destabilised".

When the controversy first surfaced, UBP leader Dr. Grant Gibbons wondered what information there could possibly be about the project that could undermine the Government, and he said Mr. Scott's statement raised even more questions.

In the House of Assembly yesterday, Rev. Lowe said: "To become a member of the other side (the UBP), you have to go through an initiation of evil.

"It is public knowledge that these card carrying members tried to derail one of the major projects of the Government."

He said a Royal Gazette report had stated that Mr. Russell "was a card carrying member of the UBP", and all I'm saying is I'm getting the impression that to become a member of that party, you almost have to carry out a project of evil against this Government."

Following protests from the UBP, Rev. Lowe agreed to withdraw his comments.

But he continued: "Reality and truth will stand. This Government is standing for that which is right and you can't rely or believe what comes from the other side."