Claims that Premier Ewart Brown is living a “lavish” lifestyle at taxpayers’ expense were rejected by his Press Secretary.

Dr. Brown came under fire from the Opposition United Bermuda Party after it was revealed he and his entourage spent more than $280,000 of taxpayers’ money on overseas trips in a ten-month period.

Press Secretary Glenn Jones argued the overseas expenses was money well spent — especially given that Dr. Brown performs the dual role of Premier and Minister for Tourism and Transport.

It is also expected that Dr. Brown will make a further statement on the travel expenses row to the House today.

Mr. Jones said: “The Premier is very careful with the public purse not only when he travels, but at all times,” said Mr. Jones.

“And he reminds the public that his travel expenses represent not only the Office of the Premier, but also the Ministry of Transport and Tourism — the last of which, by definition, requires a significant amount of travel if the job is to be done successfully.

“When examined in this big picture view, perhaps a fair minded person can understand that the trip expenses are not lavish or excessive as the Opposition has decried.”

Mr. Jones added that some of Dr. Brown’s trips have brought direct benefits to the Island’s economy.

“Each time the Premier travels it is to accomplish a specific goal with upside potential for the country,” he said.

“For example, the Premier had to quickly hop on a plane in order to secure the PGA Grand Slam of Golf. He did so on a commercial flight and landed a coup for the country’s profile around the world. Most Bermudians who care about tourism will consider that kind of travel money well spent.”

Dr. Brown’s overseas expenses — which refer to 16 trips from last July to the end of last month — were revealed in answers to a series of Parliamentary questions put to Ministers by the UBP.

The Premier spent a total of $155,000 on the trips, while his entourage, including security staff, former Press Secretary Scott Simmons, Chief of Staff Wayne Caines and Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque, spent a further $130,000.

Reacting to the figures earlier this week, Shadow Finance Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said: “Dr. Brown lives a life of luxurious travel that would put an Indian princeling at the height of the British Raj to shame. This is travel of the most lavish kind of scale. The amount he spends on his trips can never be more than a dream for the rest of us.”