Paula Cox sent a scathing e-mail to Opposition leader David Burt over her rejection as a candidate for her lost seat.

The former premier, who lost to Glen Smith in Devonshire North West in one of the shocks of the 2012 General Election, said party leaders, who announced Wayne Caines as their selection yesterday, had acted as if they had a “backroom agenda” to tarnish her reputation.

She said the Constituency 14 branch executive was told at a Devonshire Recreation Club meeting on Monday that she “could be a liability” to the Progressive Labour Party if she were to run.

According to e-mails passed to The Royal Gazette by Beresford Mack of the Atlanta-based press agency MC Media, the branch executive was dismayed that Mr Caines, the former senator, had been chosen ahead of Ms Cox, who is described as “constitutionally selected”.

The series of messages between Ms Cox, Mr Burt, party chairman Scott Simmons and branch secretary Nadine Henry also appeared to suggest that Ms Cox could now run as an independent candidate to “let the voters of C14 decide the outcome”.

Ms Cox told this newspaper last night: “The news as you would be aware is that the PLP party leadership has made their decision, which was announced via their press conference earlier today.

“I will continue to work in C14. The C14 voters have been very open about what they want and expect from their next representative and I plan to work to earn their trust and confidence.

“They want change from the OBA and they wish experience and commitment. I am determined to do what is required to earn their vote and their support.”

Asked for a comment about the e-mails, Mr Burt said: “The PLP’s priority is bringing an end to the failed OBA government and giving the Bermudian people a voice again.

“Internal party discussions pertaining to the best path forward are common, but at the end of the day, the entire PLP is focused on victory in 34 days. That’s where my focus is and that’s where this party’s focus is.”

Ms Cox wrote to Mr Burt on Tuesday: “This is to follow up in writing further to the meeting you had with the C14 executive yesterday evening at the Devonshire Recreation Club and our discussions.

“The branch executive used the occasion to reconfirm to you that they continue to stand resolutely behind me as their selected candidate.

“They stated unequivocally that the process outlined in the party’s constitution for the selection of candidates must be adhered to. You have acknowledged that based on the party’s national polling, it shows that I as the branch selected candidate was well positioned to win.”

Saying that she was selected according to the party constitution, she continued: “Polls are no guarantee and hard work is required to serve the people.

“However, recent polling does shed a very favourable light on my chances both when compared with the Government and any unnamed PLP candidates.

“I listened with interest to the suggestion that I could be a liability nationally to the party’s chances if I ran. I found this an extraordinary assertion.

“This sounds to me like some backroom agenda to tarnish my reputation. It also seems to be at odds with what you shared privately as to options you saw for me if there was a PLP win at the polls.

“It seems contradictory to say my image is good for the party to govern, but bad for the party to run.

“Let me state emphatically that if the party continues to ignore the PLP C14 branch’s stated decision, I am prepared to let the voters of C14 decide the outcome.

“The C14 constituency is a diverse one and has constituents who, while they may be aching for a change, also want to build a relationship and dialogue with their representative.

“I have enjoyed the time spent canvassing. Much work remains before every single voter is seen, but they are special and I will continue to work to earn their trust and confidence. They deserve no less.

“I am a diehard PLP supporter, but in my view when you flout procedures and the will of the PLP/C14 constituency, then lessons may have to be learnt.

“People seem to think I will just roll over for what some claim is for the good of the party — no. Principles and due process are higher goals that we have to also be mindful of. If you truly believe someone needs help, then you support and help — not discard. We are supposed to be a team.

“Those are the PLP values I uphold and respect and I will die for.”

Mr Simmons wrote to Ms Cox and Mr Burt last Friday: “I note the tenor and urgency of your e-mail and I am not aware if correspondence has been exchanged between the both of you.

“That notwithstanding, it is my hope that we can resolve this matter with determined haste, as an election has been called.”

The PLP constitution supports a candidate selection process inclusive of full disclosure and consultation with the branch, Mr Simmons said.

“As principal steward of our party constitution, I am concerned yet clear that resolution must be found immediately under the guidance and adherence of our party constitution and all efforts must be made to avoid an internal and external public disagreement,” he said.

“To engage in such a potentially explosive display of public disagreement will be devastating to our party image and reputation at this critical time.

“I implore all that a resolution must be found for the good of the party and I am available to meet to facilitate an amicable end.”

On Monday last week, Ms Henry noted that a meeting had taken place between Mr Burt, deputy leader Walter Roban and the PLP’s candidate committee chairman.

She wrote: “In the days that followed, Constituency 14 met to discuss the presentation and found no doubt once again with an unwavering support for already approved candidate Paula Cox. Therefore, I write to reconfirm that Ms Cox is the candidate of choice for Constituency 14.”