The Hamilton Rotary Club has fired back at claims by Government Senator David Burch that the club is a mouthpiece for the United Bermuda Party.

Sen Burch said to the best of his knowledge only one minister, Dr. Ewart Brown, had been invited to speak at the club's lunches in the past year.

But Rotary chairman Toppy Cowen said the club had called various Government ministers but was unable to get them to come.

And he claimed the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) was asked if it wanted to send a speaker to respond to comments from Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell, but a senior PLP figure said the party "wasn't interested".

It is understood the senior PLP figure is party chairman Neville Tyrell, who is a member of the club.

Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb has accepted an invitation to speak, but sent her consultant Nigel Hickson instead because her schedule was busy.

Sports and Community Affairs Minister Randy Horton accepted an invite but has always been too busy to make it.

Mr. Cowen said: "It is nonsense, unfair, and unfounded for someone to say the UBP is being given greater opportunity to speak at Hamilton Rotary.

"For the record, one government minister was called on numerous occasions to speak at our club. The response was 'the minister is too busy'.

"A very prominent official within the PLP was asked if they would like to send someone to respond to comments made by David Dodwell. The answer was 'the party is not interested'.

"The public should also be aware, Premier, The Hon Jennifer Smith, JP, MP, is an honorary member of Hamilton Rotary.

"As president of the club I do not normally invite speakers since this is the responsibility of our vice-president.

"However, I would like to assure the general public that we would be more than pleased to have someone speak from Government, especially Minister David Burch who is high on the list of people who are respected for his approach to the people's business."

Sen Burch did not respond yesterday to calls from The Royal Gazette for comment.