A world-wide apology has been made by Tony Brannon after comments he posted on the Internet about the demise of Bermuda tourism sparked a maelstrom of anger across the Island.

The entertainer admits the phrase ?black Bermudians? was insensitive when he used it in reference to unionised hospitality workers whom he claims played a part in the demise of the tourism industry because of tactics and attitudes in the early 1980s.

And the 55-year-old has placed an apology on the YouTube internet site, which is visited by millions of people around the world every day.

The row started on the YouTube site after Mr. Brannon last weekend posted comments beneath a tourism video featuring Premier Ewart Brown.

His apology came as the row became a hot topic on radio chat shows and was discussed in Parliament.

Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert responded to criticism of the union?s alleged tactics of the early 1980s on Thursday by demanding an apology for the ?racist? remark and the slight against the BIU.

While Mr. Brannon has apologised for using the term ?black Bermudian? he maintains his comments about union tactics and attitude a quarter-of-a century ago are valid.

And he has challenged Premier Ewart Brown to open up a full discussion on Bermuda?s past as it effects race relations and include the issue of union tactics. In his apology, which is addressed ?To the people of Bermuda,? Mr. Brannon said: ?The use of the words ?Black Bermudians? by me was indeed insensitive. However, it is my position that the BIU did not help in the relationship between our employers and employees, and in fact the problem was really exacerbated by the effects our visitors felt during Bermuda?s darkest days of the General Strike of 1981.?

He told that a bad attitude amongst some hotel workers at the time, whom he claims were instructed by the BIU, left visitors with a bad experience of Bermuda and hastened the decline in tourist visitors.

?In my opinion the BIU and their tactics during the day - no matter who they were inciting - had the effect of creating a lot of bad vibes in the hotel industry,? he said.

The row brought comment from the Hotel Employers of Bermuda, the BIC Group and MPs in the House of Assembly.

John Harvey, CEO of the Hotel Employers of Bermuda, took issue with Mr. Brannon?s original YouTube comment that: ?The nasty attitudes and surly service by yes, Black Bermudians egged on by the BIU? were unforgivable, unwarranted, disrespectful, and untrue.

Mr. Harvey responded: ?It was a malicious attack on the many Black Bermudians who were and are responsible for Bermuda being regarded as a world-wide first class tourist destination.?

While Derek Morris, chairman of the BIC Group which operates the summer entertainment on Hawkins Island and employs Mr. Brannon, said the company believes in free speech and would not seek to censor or restrict Mr. Brannon.

Echoing Mr. Brannon?s call for open dialogue on race, he said: ?Dialogue can only occur if individuals are allowed to speak. If we muzzle the people we disagree with, we are doomed to failure.?

In his YouTube internet apology, Mr. Brannon said: ?Since our Premier has stated he wants to have a discussion about our past, which has a lot to do with race relations. It is none other that Dr. Brown who talks about ?Plantations? and the past that has made it incumbent on me to point out that Bermuda tourism was affected in many ways.

?I was simply stating that the BIU had its part to play in all this. For them to blame it on a decline for demand in Bermuda?s tourism product is a lie. The way we treated our visitors and the way it was reported and talked about had a lot to do with the demise of Bermuda tourism.

?If we want an open and honest debate about our past then I am all for it. Many groups are to blame. But the BIU seems to think it was a virgin, incapable of wrongdoing. That is not the case and the facts speak for themselves. Once again I am sorry for any insult any person feels for my comments.?

And he told : ?Maybe I should have said in my comment ?Bermudians? not ?black Bermudians? or labelled it.?

United Bermuda Party leader Wayne Furbert said the UBP condemned the original remarks of Mr. Brannon.

He added: ?They represent the worst form of stereotyping. Whatever were his intentions ? and I am at a loss to understand them ? his words serve no constructive purpose. Nothing good can come from them and they only divide us as a people and drive us apart.

?Mr. Brannon is often provocative in his thinking and I think he enjoys being provocative, but this time his remarks crossed a line and I, as a black man and as a Bermudian, cannot allow them to stand.?

And the UBP leader said there needed to be a national dialogue on race.

?I believe there can be neither peace nor sustained prosperity in Bermuda until this crucial issue of two races sharing one island has been fully addressed and resolved.?

In late 2005 Mr. Brannon was at the centre of another race incident when an e-mail from then Premier Alex Scott was made public in which said he was ?getting tired of listening to, and taking crap from people who look and sound like (Mr. Brannon).?

Mr. Scott apologised publicly for using the word crap but denied the rest of his comment referred to Mr. Brannon in terms of race.