United Bermuda Party chairman and former convict Shawn Crockwell has hit back at Jamahl Simmons who had taken a swipe at his former colleague’s criminal past at Thursday night’s Progressive Labour Party rally.

Urging Pembroke West voters to back the PLP candidate Walton Brown rather than Mr. Crockwell, Mr Simmons told the crowd: “Unlike some candidates he didn’t have to get punished by the law to learn to be honest. Walton Brown will never say to you that you need to toughen up and learn to take criticism from white people.”

And Mr. Simmons, who publicly rejoined the PLP that night, later justified the remarks by saying Mr. Crockwell had once called him lazy.

Mr. Crockwell, who served a long jail sentence for stealing $600,000 of drugs from a Supreme Court safe, responded: “It is interesting Jamahl Simmons would take that position as when he was the spokesman for the National Liberal Party he attempted to recruit me. At that time he felt I was an ideal individual to get involved.

“When he was the spokesperson for the UBP he was again quite persistent in requesting I join the UBP and he was always very supportive.

“I find it very interesting now he has changed political parties once again, he takes what I find to be a very demeaning attack on me.

“But my message and that of the UBP is one of hope not hate.”

He said the UBP would continue to provide a message of hope to the people of Bermuda.

“Unfortunately this is what the PLP have resorted to. They cannot rely on their record because their record is abysmal.

“They cannot rely on a message of moving forward because they don’t have one.”

He said Mr. Simmons’ “unacceptable and dirty tactics” demonstrated his character and that of the organisation he now represents.

“I think the hundreds of individuals in this country who have made mistakes and gone on to live productive lives should be outraged,” said Mr. Crockwell.

In a reference to other public PLP figures who have convictions he added: “Charles Richardson should be outraged, Rolfe Commissiong should be outraged and Scott Simmons should be outraged by this tasteless attack.”

And United Bermuda Party candidate Kenny Bascome, who served time back in the 1970s for an assault, said the PLP were putting out mixed messages on rehabilitation.

Last month Premier Ewart Brown attacked Mr. Crockwell, describing him as an: “An ex-con who infamously stole $600,000 worth of drugs from the courts.” And the Premier had pointed out that: “Only about $100,000 of the stolen drugs was ever recovered, according to published reports.”

But Mr. Bascome noted the Premier and his Cabinet had held one of their weekly meetings at Westgate as a sign of support for forgotten prisoners they hoped would reintegrate themselves back into society.

Mr. Bascome said: “The Premier is supporting rehabilitation by visiting Westgate and in the next breath he finds the need to cast aspersions on individuals who have a criminal past.

“That to me is hypocritical.”