A political activist drawing up ambitious plans for a new political party in Bermuda is to step down as a spokesman for a pro-referendum lobby group.

Khalid Wasi said he wanted to put some daylight between his venture and Bermudians for Referendum (BFR).

The activist said he would continue to support the BFR in their drive to collect voters' signatures.

The BFR is not affiliated to any political party. And Mr. Wasi said he made the decision to step down from his public 'cheerleader' role within the single issue group so this position did not become blurred.

"I'm stepping down from that position because I do not want any confusion," he told yesterday.

"The BFR is purely about getting signatures in support of a referendum, if and when the country ever decides to look at Independence. It was to make sure Bermudians get their say."

He added: "The BFI is not involved with any political party, let alone the new one I'm going to set up."

Mr. Wasi denied the initiative for his new party had been spawned out of the pro-referendum group.

?I?m putting some daylight between myself and them,? he added. ?I want clarity and do not want the issue to be blurred, but I will continue to support their efforts.?

He said he wanted to focus his efforts on the planning the new party. reported last week how the political activist was working on plans to overhaul the United Bermuda Party as the Island?s second party. He told how backers have pledged a six-figure sum to help the venture, in a move that Mr. Wasi hopes will break the mould of racial politics in Bermuda.

Mr. Wasi said yesterday that since the plans for the new political party had been greeted with ?tremendous enthusiasm?.