Attorney General Larry Mussenden has hit back at comments made by his Opposition counterpart over outgoing Solicitor General Wilhelm Bourne.

As reported in , Shadow Attorney General Trevor Moniz said Mr. Bourne did a ?very poor? job in the high-profile GoldenEye property case.

Mr. Moniz said that Government was forced to hire an overseas QC to try and salvage the case, in which Government?s regulation banning Bermudians selling homes to foreigners was overturned in court.

Mr. Bourne is now due to become Anguilla?s Attorney General ? and Mr. Mussenden said his ?stellar? performance in Bermuda should be recognised.

The Attorney General said: ?I?m extremely disappointed that an MP would speak in such a negative way about a civil servant and in such a personal way.

?This was a personal attack on Mr. Bourne that was completely without merit and was unwarranted. It was beneath the standard acceptable for elected members.?

He added: ?Mr. Bourne has given a tremendous amount of time to Bermuda as a Police officer, as a lawyer in the AG?s chambers as well as being Solicitor General.

?He has served a number of Attorney Generals, including myself. I can say that Mr. Bourne has always looked out for the best interests of Bermuda and the people of Bermuda and also the Government of Bermuda.

?He has been stellar in the performance of his duties and a lot of credit should be rightly given to him.?

Mr. Mussenden, continuing his criticism of Mr. Moniz?s remarks, said that he was not used to elected officials attacking civil servants in such a way.

The Attorney General also said that when the UBP was in power, overseas QCs were brought in by Government.

?Bermuda law firms regularly bring in QCs,? he stated. ?That?s done on a needs basis.

?Mr. Moniz can?t have it both ways ? he can?t criticise the Government and then turn a blind eye to firms in Bermuda that bring in QCs in interests of their clients.

?The Government hires the best people for the job. We have discretion to bring in outside help. We use it sparingly and will continue to do so.?

He said that Mr. Moniz should wish Mr. Bourne well in his new job and thank him for his years to service.

And he said the Opposition member?s remarks reminded him of ?simplistic views of a simplistic mind?.