The accusation from PLP backbencher Renee Webb that male politicians make lewd comments during breaks from Parliamentary business has been rejected by another female MP.

Suzann Roberts-Holshouser of the UBP said that neither she nor any of the other women in her party had ever experienced male politicians making inappropriate remarks to them.

Deputy leader of the party Michael Dunkley has also said that he was highly offended by the allegation.

As reported on January 30, Ms Webb claimed that ?male politicians spend every single session in the kitchen talking about sex and making sexual jokes?.

She said that the majority of male politicians on both sides of the House engaged in such banter while in the kitchen and coffee room.

?My point is that it?s a normal occurrence in Bermuda ? boys will be boys. It doesn?t matter whether its on a construction site or wherever, it?s something that?s culturally embedded and normal,? she added.

However, responding to this Mr. Dunkley said: ?I, and I am sure many of my colleagues on both sides of the House feel the same, take great offence to the comments attributed to Ms Webb.

?Can you imagine the likes of Wayne Furbert, Grant Gibbons, Jon Brunson, Neville Darrell or John Barritt acting in the manner suggested by Ms Webb? I think not, and the same goes for most of my other colleagues not mentioned.

?I applaud anyone in Bermuda who speaks out, stands up to be counted, and in this case women who are trying to make a difference in what many perceive to be a man?s world.

?However, it is important that you state the truth, be specific, and don?t cast everyone into the same basket. Ms Webb has generalised and in doing so has discredited all male members of the House of Assembly.?

He added: ?I have had only a handful of conversations with Ms Webb in the House or been present while she is in these areas. I can remember the subject of all and in none of those has the subject been sexual in content.?

Although Mr. Dunkley is the only male MP to have contacted to take issue with Ms Webb?s comments, he said that he was speaking on behalf of all of the United Bermuda Party.

Mrs. Roberts-Holshouser, who is Shadow Minister of Women?s Affairs, said that neither she or the other two female MPs in her party ? Louise Jackson and Patricia Gordon- Pamplin ? had ever been on the receiving end of sexual innuendoes.

?No-one should be subjected to any form of sexual abuse and if that is what Ms Webb is experiencing she should do something about it,? she said.

However, Ms Webb stuck by her earlier remarks, telling that she would not be drawn into a war of words over the issue.

?Women are marginalised in all sections of society and it would not serve any purpose to name people from Parliament,? she said. ?The whole point of my remarks is that the whole of the House of Assembly needs to look inward.

?No-one said that everyone participates in this. It?s a cultural thing in Bermuda and the House is no different but people want to get all petty and start pointing fingers which serves no purpose.?