Michael Dunkley told radio listeners last night that he was against Independence but for the death penalty for pre-meditated murder.

The Opposition Leader took part in a lengthy interview on Hott 1075 with presenter Jamal Hartman during which he took questions from callers.

One listener asked him to elaborate on comments he made in 2003 regarding the death penalty, which was banned in Bermuda in 1999.

Shadow Public Safety Minister Mr. Dunkley said: "I believe that for pre-meditated murder when somebody is convicted there should be a death penalty option. The penalty for murder, it's a slap on the wrist.

"I think life in Bermuda is only about 20 years now. We need to be serious in Bermuda about how we look at justice."

A female caller asked him for his personal view on independence, a topic on which the United Bermuda Party has no official stance.

"My current position is that I'm not for it at this time but I do think that the people of Bermuda should decide by referendum," he said. Mr. Dunkley said he also believed that the public should decide whether there should be an annual holiday in memory of former Progressive Labour Party Leader Dame Lois Browne Evans, who died in May.

"I believe that we should allow the people to have some say," he said, adding that consultation was also needed with regard to the renaming of public buildings and spaces after politicians.

"It shouldn't be up to a politician to say 'we are going to name a place or have a public holiday'. I think we should allow the people to decide."

Earlier, he was questioned by Mr. Hartman as to why he failed to attend Dame Lois' funeral.

Mr. Dunkley explained that he had private business to attend to in Atlanta which could not be avoided. "It hurt me," he said, adding that in retrospect he regretted not being at the ceremony.

Other topics tackled during the Hott off the Streets show included the Forty Thieves, the elitism of the Mid-Ocean Club and race relations.

Mr. Dunkley told listeners that his family was not part of the Forty Thieves group - a clique of white businessmen widely acknowledged to have once run the Island - and that he refused to be classified in that way.

"I grew up from a hardworking family," he said. "I'm probably not the smartest person around but I know the value of hard work. I know the value of not letting people down and being open and honest with them."

He was asked by Mr. Hartman what he thought of Premier Ewart Brown as an individual, outside of politics. Mr. Dunkley said he did not know Dr. Brown socially, adding: "He presents himself well. He knows how to handle himself."

He revealed that he supported the nomination of Dr. Brown to become a member of the Mid-Ocean golf club in Tucker's Town. And he said when he was president of the exclusive club he attempted to make it more open, diverse and inclusive.

Mr. Dunkley said he was genuine in his commitment to improving race relations but that change could only come if everybody wanted it.

Sarah Fellowes, who heads the Youth News initiative on the Island, called the show to complain that the UBP had organised a concert which clashed with a Youth News event and had poached Bermudian reggae star Collie Buddz.

Mr. Dunkley said: "I'm not aware of the situation she's talking about. We don't have any contract to have a Collie Buddz concert but obviously it's something we would look into."