Government reduced a friendly Commonwealth conference into a political arena filled with bias and back-biting.

Politicians from around the globe, who are in Bermuda this week for a non-political Commonwealth seminar, were forced to watch as members of Government and the Opposition took to squabbling during the first session of the week.

The row broke out after former journalist and ex-Progressive Labour Party Senator Ira Philip gave what was described as `a one-sided diatribe' of the political scene in Bermuda during a presentation meant solely to inform the delegates of the current situation on the Island.

His address, just two hours into the conference, was so full of political bias and disdain for the Opposition United Bermuda Party and the media that both the Opposition and a number of overseas delegates asked for the balance to be re-dressed.

One delegate even went so far as to say he hoped the rest of the week did not continue in the same vein.

The week-long annual conference, held in Bermuda for the first time, got off to a smooth and friendly start until panel member Mr. Philip stood to make his presentation.

In a two-page speech he described the PLP election win as "momentous and historic'' and said it had brought to an end "more than 300 years of authoritarianism and minority white political domination''.

He added: "The United Bermuda Party was deemed to be the last vestige of that governing elite who prided themselves with open boasts that they were not a democracy, but were instead an oligarchy.

"And I might add, a rigid, deeply entrenched one at that, determined at all costs to control Bermuda's 20th century economic, political, social and even ecclesiastical affairs.'' Bermuda fracas mars Commonwealth forum And Mr. Philip attacked the media, claiming it was the main opposition Government faced.

He said the UBP's "hysterical outbursts'' were guaranteed front page coverage in The Royal Gazette and via electronic media as if they were "sypnoptic Gospels''.

He added: "The paper's contempt for the ruling Progressive Labour Party and loathing of its leader Premier Jennifer Smith is unmistakable.'' A number of politicians from overseas said in the interests of fairness, and so they could receive a true picture of Bermudian politics, the UBP should be given an opportunity to re-dress the balance.

And the Honourable Bev Harrison, from New Brunswick, Canada, received applause after he said: "I want to state my view on the approach we are taking in this session.

"I always assumed that Commonwealth conferences were non-political events.

"I think we are here to share in a non-political way the political experiences in our different jurisdictions.'' He said he was a "little concerned'' that the session had turned to "partisan political discussion''.

And Mr. Harrison added: "I would hope this does not recur in future sessions or conferences, but I think clearly here we will have to have some balance.'' Following the speech yesterday, Bermuda's delegates, consisting of both PLP and UBP members, began to squabble.

At one point, UBP MP Patricia Gordon-Pamplin repeatedly told PLP Senator Michael Scott to "shut up'' after he said he agreed with Mr. Philip's address.

UBP Senator Kim Swan said the Opposition wanted an opportunity to respond to the presentation and also hit out at Government and the way it introduced a White Paper on proposed changes to the constitution at the final sitting of the House of Assembly in August.

He said the issue had never been discussed and the proposals should have come in a Green Paper first, with proper consultation among the community.

Premier Jennifer Smith responded to the criticism over the constitutional changes and then apologised to the delegates.

She said: "I apologise for what seems to be internal debate going on before you.'' Soon after, the Premier left the session before it had come to a close.

But once the morning's seminar had finished, Joint President of the Bermuda branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Senator Alf Oughton was placed under pressure by members of the Opposition who demanded a right of reply.

However, he refused to give them a definite answer as to whether or not they would be permitted to speak.

Ms Gordon Pamplin said: "I found the comments made by Mr. Philip were of his opinion only and were totally and wholly inappropriate for the seminar at hand.

"It was most embarrassing, especially as we are hosting the event, and I certainly hope that Mr. Philip was embarrassed.'' Opposition Legislative Affairs Minister John Barritt said it was not the UBP's intention to make the conference political, but felt the issue had to be addressed.

He said: "It was blatantly one-sided and decidedly partisan on the political side in Bermuda.

"Fairness would dictate that the Opposition is given a chance to respond.

"The fact that this has happened is an embarrassment and I think an apology ought to be extended.

"The Premier apologised, but I thought that was just because of what Senator Kim Swan had said -- it was not on behalf of Government.'' Editor of The Royal Gazette Bill Zuill last night responded to Mr. Philip's speech, saying there were elements of truth in Mr. Philips' speech, but the allegations against the newspaper were "pure fantasy''.

He added: " The Royal Gazette does not loath the Premier, nor does it hold the PLP in contempt.

"For the record, most Cabinet ministers are accessible to The Royal Gazette and the rest of the media. The Premier is not, although we do seem to have received better access recently.

"Mr. Philip must know something I don't when he says that our recurrent phrase "Premier Smith was not available for comment'' reflects the mutual contempt between the Premier and the press. Speaking for the press, that is untrue.'' *** For the full text of Ira Philip's remarks see Page 4 Non political: Premier Jennifer Smith arrives at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's 12th annual seminar, yesterday.

Ira Philip