Bring it on. That was Michael Dunkley’s response after Premier Ewart Brown claimed re-opening a Police probe into illegal drugs involving Dunkley’s Dairy staff could prove embarrassing for the Opposition leader.

And Mr. Dunkley said the Premier was seeking to shift the emphasis from embarrassing allegations coming out of the leaked BHC files. Yesterday Dr. Brown voiced his dismay at the Supreme Court ruling which he said meant all confidential Police files were fit to print.

That decision meant other people could be persecuted even though they were never prosecuted said Dr. Brown.

He added: “The Opposition Leader comes to mind because we all know a former employee at his company was prosecuted for smuggling drugs while on the job. “It’s my understanding Police questioned Mr. Dunkley.

“If those Dunkley Police files were stolen from the confines of the Police Department and splashed in the newspapers, it would be grossly unfair; I expect there would be a lot of embarrassing, if not suspicious, information about the Opposition Leader in those old Police files.

“It would be wrong for those unproven investigative findings to become media fodder.”

And the Premier continued that the Opposition Party Chairman Shawn Crockwell also came to mind.

He said Mr. Crockwell was: “An ex-con who infamously stole $600,000 worth of drugs from the courts.

“Only about $100,000 of the stolen drugs was ever recovered, according to published reports. But the UBP Chairman served his time and as far as the community is concerned he repaid his debt.

“If someone conspired to sensationalise his 10-year-old Police files in the press, I would be eager to help him fight off the conspirators - even though much of what he took is still missing.

“This legal fight is not only about protecting the innocent, but the rehabilitated as well. It is about protecting the good names and good reputations of all citizens.”

Speaking from London where he has been meeting British politicians and diplomats, Mr. Dunkley said the Premier was “desperate and irrational”.

“The fact of the matter is with the drug case two individuals were tried and convicted,” Mr. Dunkley said.

“I am happy to have that case opened up. I have nothing to hide and would be pleased to let it be in the public domain.

“If he wants to be rehashing it then fine — I doubt he wants to take that challenge.

“He said I was questioned — I was never questioned as a suspect, I was questioned as a witness and I went on the stand.”

Two years ago two former Dunkley’s Dairy employees were convicted of conspiracy to import close to $3 million worth of marijuana in October 2003 in a Dunkley’s Dairy container. Michael Madeiros, 41 and Steven Flood, 39, were sentenced to ten year’s imprisonment.

During the trial Mr. Dunkley took the witness stand and said the pair had confessed their guilt to him and he later told Parliament that he had picked up the tab for setting up surveillance cameras after Police said they could only afford an officer to monitor it. Mr. Dunkley said yesterday: “I don’t have anything to hide — that’s the difference between myself and my colleague — and the Premier.

“It is a sad day for Bermuda when the Premier has to resort to these type of tactics. I stand by my reputation and integrity and will match that with the Premier any time.

“As far as the party chairman is concerned I am very disappointed he is attacking a colleague. Everyone is well aware this case was dealt with in the courts and a proper sentence was meted out. That matter is gone now and I stand by my colleague. I find it absolutely ridiculous the Premier of the island would now try to take the focus off his very real problems and shift it to other issues.”

And Mr. Crockwell said he too had nothing to hide. “I have exhaustively detailed my story in the press, my story has been an open book.

“However for clarification I pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, I gave full restitution of any profits. I paid my debt, overcame my struggle and have attained success. I have always been contrite for what I did.”

Mr. Crockwell said he agreed with the Premier that private Police files should remain confidential but he claimed the United Bermuda Party had not been involved in the dissemination of the BHC files.

“Why the Premier feels it necessary to attack me is something he has to answer for. The fact is there are unanswered questions concerning BHC.”