American public affairs experts were called in as a favour to advise Premier Ewart Brown’s Press Secretary over his handling of the Bermuda Housing Corporation affair.

Glenn Jones held an e-mail discussion with the boss of Park Row Campaign Management in which it was suggested Dr. Brown should refuse to answer detailed questions about his BHC involvement because it would open the floodgates to further probing.

Earlier this week, Mr. Jones accidentally released the e-mail to groups in his address book before giving a copy to The Royal Gazette in a damage limitation exercise. Yesterday, Park Row president Joseph Romanelli insisted he had not received any payment from any group for his services — and that he was merely helping out Mr. Jones.

“Park Row Campaigns has no relationship with the Premier, the Government or the PLP. Glenn Jones is an old friend and he asked for my input as our expertise is in public affairs and political communication,” said Mr. Romanelli.

Asked whether any payment had been made, he replied: “I totally understand your concerns, but it was simply two friends chatting. Nothing more. And absolutely, not a penny or pound was exchanged. I have never worked for any of the people, parties or governments involved.”

Ironically, in a move that would be interpreted in some quarters as pro-Dr. Brown spin, Mr. Romanelli added: “But he really didn’t need my input — the document struck me as strong and based entirely in fact. I firmly believe that truth is on the side of the Premier and that truth is hopefully being distributed to the people.”

Park Row’s website states it has carried out public relations work for a host of American politicians, including Congressman Sherwood Boerlert, Oneida County Clerk Sandy Caruso and New York State Supreme Court’s Robert Julian. It also did publicity work for a number of projects including the Empire State Games in 2001.

The e-mail between Mr. Jones and Mr. Romanelli later appeared on Facebook.com and blog politics.bm.

It claimed the BHC probe had exonerated targeted members of the PLP Government but had then been leaked to the press to scupper a summer election.

It contained a string of statements under the headline FACT, including a reference to “flagrantly malicious” motives by whoever leaked the dossier; and a suggestion that PLP voices “should be coordinated and massed like thunder” to condemn its release as “raining on the celebration of Dame Lois’ life”.

Earlier this month, The Mid-Ocean News ran a story from a leaked Police dossier centring on allegations of corruption at BHC.

The documents reportedly revealed that Dr. Brown, former Premier Jennifer Smith and former Minister Renee Webb were all investigated by Police looking into the BHC allegations.