An Opposition candidate hit back at allegations he filed for bankruptcy and was therefore not eligible to run for political office.

United Bermuda Party's Jeff Sousa, who will run in the Warwick South-East constituency, said the allegation was "slanderous".

The claim was made on Facebook, a popular online community, which has more than 4,000 Bermudian residents on it.

Mr. Sousa noticed the claim because he joined the site recently, like many other politicians including Premier Ewart Brown, to connect with younger voters.

A posting on the Bermuda network page, which all users can view, claimed that the Supreme Court Cause and Judgment book had a writ filed in it regarding the bankruptcy of Jefferson Colby Sousa and that no notice of discharge had been added to the file.

Mr. Sousa said he was angered that someone had chosen to use Facebook to attack him in the lead up to an election and said the allegation was not true.

He said the statement was mean spirited and an attempt to undermine him.

He added that his company Sousa's Landscaping and Floriculture Ltd was wound up in the 1990s, but that he had not been made bankrupt and bankruptcy proceedings were not taken out against him.

He said that poor business decisions he made in his early 30s had resulted in the company being wound up and the bank foreclosing on his house.

As a result he was left with a debt to the bank but made monthly payments so that the debt is now less than 25 percent of the original amount. In addition he has also paid the creditors of the company, when in law he had no personal liability.

He said: "I have spent the last 17 years paying for these bad business decisions, I have rebuilt my company and am meeting my commitments.

"Although this personal attack has been a distraction, nothing will take my attention away from serving the people of Warwick."

He added that it was sad people were using Facebook, which was supposed to be a positive way to interact with people, to slander politicians.

Leader of the Opposition Michael Dunkley also took to Facebook to defend his colleague and posted a reply to the original allegation stating: "In reply, I have to say that you are wrong in your allegations! I have caused this matter to be investigated and can report there is no truth to your post."

He added that Mr. Sousa had never been "adjudged a bankrupt" so there was nothing stopping him from being elected to the House of Assembly.