A radio talk show came under fire last night as host Lt. Col. David Burch interviewed Premier Alex Scott ? the very man who gave him clearance to continue to operate as a broadcast journalist despite being appointed a Government minister less than two weeks ago.

And one of the callers to the Hott 107.5FM show was Opposition UBP Deputy Leader Michael Dunkley who attempted to break up what he perceived as a Government propaganda exercise.

He requested Lt. Col. Burch interview a member of the Opposition in next week?s Sunday night show.

Lt. Col. Burch said he would consider the idea, at which point Mr. Scott added his own touch? to the verbal joust, commenting that he might try to get UBP MP John Barritt to write him up in his weekly column in the Mid-Ocean News. Despite the light-hearted tone of the on-air sparring, Mr. Dunkley told he has serious concern about the show and wants the Broadcasting Commissioners to investigate what he believes is a serious conflict of interests.

He also warned Bermudians to be aware of what is going on.

?It?s wrong. A minister should not be able to have their own talk show where they propagate their own policies,? said Mr. Dunkley. And he took aim at the Progressive Labour Party Government?s plan to set up a Government information broadcasting station, saying it already had one in the form of Lt. Col. Burch?s two-hour Sunday evening show.

He added: ?If the Broadcast Commission is doing its job it will react, it will see that this is wrong. It is sickening.

?If a Government broadcast station is set up there will be two of them giving ample opportunity for the Government to brainwash the community.

?Hott has only once given the Opposition their say. The Premier is probably sitting back with a smile. If he was uncomfortable he would have called for Lt. Col. Burch to step back and allow someone else to host the show.?

Lt. Col. Burch was appointed Minister for Works and Engineering and Housing just under two weeks ago and was sworn in as a senator last Friday.

The Ministerial Code of Conduct allows ministers to practise regular journalism providing they have been given prior approval by the Premier.