Michael Dunkley's support of United Bermuda Party Leader Wayne Furbert — who resigned last week — has seemingly changed over the last couple of months, judging by comments made to The Royal Gazette by the deputy leader.

Former party chairman Gwyneth Rawlins revealed in a Royal Gazett> article on Saturday that she warned Mr. Furbert last year that "Michael Dunkley is out to get you".

Mr. Dunkley said those claims were without foundation and that Ms Rawlins "still has a lot of anger about what transpired and that's why she's hitting out now".

When a poll was taken last year on Mr. Furbert's popularity against his opposite number, Premier Alex Scott, Mr. Dunkley appeared firmly behind his leader, judging by remarks make to The Royal GazetI>.

However, in the following Royal Gazette quotes from Mr. Dunkley since last year, his public support of Mr. Furbert seems to have changed. That support still appeared firm in January when the knives came out for Furbert following the resignations of Jamahl Simmons, Ms. Rawlins and David Dunkley from the party, citing racism within its ranks.

However, lately Mr. Dunkley's comments have clearly indicated his support for the United Bermuda Party Leader was not all it used to be. Mr. Dunkley is the favourite to succeed Mr. Furbert as Leader of the United Bermuda Party.

Following are recent comments made by Mr. Dunkley to questions about his party leader:"His poll numbers will continue to rise as people get to see what type of leader he is. People are now getting to know him and his beliefs and the way he works. He has always had a prominent position in the party but people tend to focus on the leader. Now people are getting the chance to focus on him and we will continue to see his approval rating rise." — Deputy UBP leader Michael Dunkley, speaking July 21 on Wayne Furbert's popularity when polled against then Premier Alex Scott.

***"Wayne is one of the most amenable people to try to find common ground." — Wayne Furbert, receiving public support from his Deputy leader Michael Dunkley, January 19, 2007.***"Mr. Furbert is fully supported by the Party caucus, other than by Mr. (Maxwell) Burgess." — Mr. Dunkley commenting on January 22 under the headline "UBP caucus remains fully behind Furbert". He was responding to Maxwell Burgess's call for Mr. Furbert to step down, January 22.***"I cannot say, anything like that is an internal party matter." — Dunkley, asked if he was aware of the petition to oust Wayne Furbert, March 2

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"I have no idea, ask him how his life is going." — Mr. Dunkley replied when asked how Mr. Furbert was reacting to the news of the petition, March.

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"My answer is the same as yesterday. It's an internal party matter." — Mr. Dunkley, when asked if he would personally be mounting a challenge for the leadership, Marc3.

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"I'm not putting a hard and fast time frame or anything like that. We have to respect the leadership at the present time and have some feelings about how it's going to be handled. I'm sure at the end of the day we'll come out of it stronger than ever." — Mr. Dunkley, as the move to oust Wayne Furbert gained momentum recently, Mar29.