No evidence suggests Agent Orange was used at Bermuda's Baselands, Works and Engineering Minister Dennis Lister told a press conference today.

Mr. Lister was reacting to former US Air Force serviceman Ronald Slater's claims that vast amounts of the lethal defoliant were dumped at Kindley Air Force Base during the 1960s.

The Minister downplayed Mr. Slater's allegations that numerous barrels of the toxin – now said to cause horrific disfigurements and severe long-term illness to those exposed to it – were poured into deep pits before being burned for days, sending poisonous fumes over St. David's homes.

“The claims made by the US veteran are without foundation,” said Mr. Lister today.

“Mr. Slater believes his condition has been caused by Agent Orange but he has not presented any evidence to support his claims that have been reported in the local media.

“Mr. Slater also believes Agent Orange was used in Bermuda. There is no evidence presented to support this. In fact, our evidence indicates that Agent Orange was not here.”

However, Mr. Lister said technical officers were urgently researching the claims and would report their findings to him in two weeks.

He said soil samples taken at the time the US left the site showed no signs of contaminants, while more tests taken at the time of any land transaction have also returned negative.

For the full story and reaction, see tomorrow's Royal Gazette.