Former Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness has hit out over the mishandling of Queen?s Certificates offered to all members of the Bermuda Independence Commission (BIC) except Eddy DeMello.

Mr. Edness said Mr. DeMello should have been given an OBE if he was not going to be given another certificate. Mr. DeMello already has one for services to the Portuguese community and entertainment.

Mr. Edness said: ?If they were not going to give the Queen?s Certificate to him they should have at least called him to explain why.

?If it?s because he has already got one then that?s somewhat unfair when they are giving everyone else one.?

Citing Mr. DeMello?s sterling work in other fields, he said: ?They should have given him an OBE.?