A full-page advert has been taken out in today's by the Human Rights Commission to clarify and explain its ruling that the use of the phrase "house nigger" by Government Minister David Burch during a radio broadcast last year was not in contravention of the Human Rights Act.

In a lengthy statement the HRC explains its view of the phrase, stating that while it does not condone the use of the term it does not consider the words to be in breach of Bermuda's Human Rights Act.

"There is no doubt that the term 'house nigger' is insulting, but it would be puerile to suggest that this alone makes it either a racist term or makes its use, offensive as it may be, a violation of the Act," said the HRC statement.

The Commission also responds to what it says are incorrect perceptions that its membership is either overtly black or is principally made up of PLP affiliates.

Senator Burch made his radio comment last year when he cut off a caller to his radio show and stated he would not be accepting calls from United Bermuda Party "house niggers" ? in apparent reference to a black supporter of the Opposition Party.

Sen. Burch was not a Government minister at the time of the radio broadcast.