Government?s attempt to ?cover-up? the play-to-play scandal is sleazy politics at its very worst and demonstrates an ?arrogant lack of respect for the Bermudian public? according to Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons.

Speaking to yesterday, Dr. Gibbons (pictured) demanded that Premier Alex Scott now ask for the resignation of Tourism and Transport Minister Ewart Brown or fire him if he does not voluntarily stand down.

In a lengthy and damning assessment of the Progressive Labour Party Government and the Premier?s handling of the pay-to-play allegations, the Shadow Finance Minister said Mr. Scott and his Cabinet ?have allowed and even encouraged a new climate of sleaze in Bermuda through their continuing cover-ups and acceptance of unethical behaviour by Cabinet colleagues?.

?Good government requires that the Premier and the Cabinet set the standard,? Dr. Gibbons insisted.

?Minister Cox has been quick to point out that none of the alleged pay-to-play activities by Dr. Brown were illegal under Bermuda law. However, she has refused to comment on what she thought about the appropriateness of the unethical activities. When pushed, she ducked the issue by referring questions to Dr. Brown. In effect, she confirmed the practice that the PLP Cabinet will overlook unethical behaviour by Ministers as long as it?s not illegal.

?But what Minister Cox neglected to mention was that Dr. Brown and others may well have violated the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act with their $2,500 per head lunches.?

The Opposition Leader has previously referred to the Ministry of Finance?s review of the administration of the public pension funds as ?a complete whitewash? ? and while he yesterday admitted that the planned reforms ?may help to prevent future unethical activity? he argued that the public could have no confidence in the public pension fund system until those who had erred were held to account.

?There can be no confidence in Minister Cox or that the Government pension funds are being managed in the best interests of the beneficiaries unless she maintains the integrity of the Ministry,? he said.

?To do this, she must hold [Public Funds Investment Committee chairman Calvin White and Pension consultant Tina Poiteven accountable by terminating them and their connection with the funds ? something she has refused to do to date.?

Looking overseas, Dr. Gibbons pointed to South African president Thabo Mbeki?s recent decision to sack his deputy leader Jacob Zuma because of allegations that his traditionally staunch political ally had involved himself in unethical rather than illegal activities ? an example Mr. Scott would do well to follow, Dr. Gibbons added.

?Mr. Mbeki demonstrated that no one is above the law in South Africa,? he said.

?He sent a very powerful message that ethical limits also apply to those who are in Cabinet. Bermudians deserve the same leadership from Mr. Scott.?

Referring to Auditor General Larry Dennis? recent suggestion that a ?culture of opportunity and dishonesty? was growing within Government, Dr. Gibbons highlighted a number of issues which he feels have been stark examples of this ? including alleged corruption at TCD, Dr. Brown?s real estate dealings with the Bermuda Housing Corporation and his recent appointment of Andre Curtis (pictured) as Tourism Board Chairman ? the latter?s former business having racked up close to $500,000 in unpaid taxes.

?There?s an old saying that a fish rots from the head,? Dr Gibbons said.

?A recent allegation that licences at TCD are being sold under the table is not surprising. If Dr. Brown apparently can get away with unethical behaviour, why can?t people within his Ministry? Dr. Brown?s appointment of Andre Curtis is yet another message that failing to be responsible for statutory pension obligations can be overlooked by Ministers in their choice of candidate for an important public position. Yet the Minister of Finance is now proposing legislative changes that would hold directors and officers liable for unpaid, statutory company pension obligations. Government apparently operates with different sets of standards.?