A black Bermudian is appalled that he was called a ?nigger? on public airways by Senator David Burch, who currently heads two of the Islands busiest ministries.

In August, M. Trott ? who does not wish to use his first name ? called Hott 107.5 to participate in Senator Burch?s talk show, ?Bermuda Speaks?.

At the time Sen. Burch was neither a Senator nor a Minister, since the show he has acquired both positions after Ashfield DeVent was fired.

Mr. Trott spoke only on condition that his full name not be used, as he does not want to deal with more fallout over the issue.

The topic of the show was Independence and Mr. Trott said a number of people called in support of the Island going Independent, while a few people called with dissenting views.

Sen. Burch?s reply to those people against Independence was to get rid of the callers and say ?it?s my show?, Mr. Trott said.

When he called the station, he was put on air and started his opinion by saying: ?You don?t like what I have to say but I am going to say it. People that are interested in Independence should go to Zimbabwe because it is a dictatorship and the people are not treated very well.?

Mr. Trott said his comments were cut off after Zimbabwe and did not accurately reflect what he had actually said.

?I was saying that the Island could become a dictatorship like other nations that have gone Independent,? Mr. Trott said.

Right after his comments were cut off, another member of the public called and said it was unfair of Senator Burch to abruptly cut off Mr. Trott and said he was suppressing freedom of speech.

Sen. Burch?s reply to this caller has been mentioned in the House of Assembly and Senate by members of the Opposition.

?This is my show and I?m not going to let people call round here with their nonsense,? he said. ?I am sick and tired of the UBP getting their house niggers to call up and try to give their opinion on Independence.?

Mr. Trott said he still cannot believe that a member of the Government called him a nigger on air.

He was a regular caller to Sen. Burch?s talk show, but said he doubts he will ever call again.

Not only was he insulted by the offensive words, he said he was angered that the important issue of Independence has been turned into a racial argument.

?I look at the Independence situation economically, not racially,? Mr. Trott said. ?It is unfortunate that the common rhetoric recently from the PLP has caused it to be a racial issue when it is more of a Bermudian issue.?

Moreover, Mr. Trott said, as a Senator and Government Minister, Lt. Col. Burch?s remarks were ?reprehensible and totally counterproductive to solving the racial issues on the Island?.

Shadow Works Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin and Senator E.T. (Bob) Richards have both publicly said that they believe Sen. Burch?s statement perpetuated the racial divide in Bermuda.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin wrote a letter to the Director of Telecommunications about the incident.

In it she said the statement ?house niggers? must be ?an infringement of the rules of decency, and certainly those of acceptable dialogue within the parameters set out by the Broadcast Commission, and the Department of Telecommunications the issuance of a licence to this station?.

Mr. Trott has also written a Letter to the Editor that explains what he was trying to say on the talk show ? that Independence does not make sense and could lead to corruption.

In it he said: ?As a black Bermudian, I found his comments scathing and unfortunate but not surprising.?