The National Liberal Party has condemned Government for making personal attacks on individuals and attempting to use race to divert public attention from questions of accountability.

A press release from NLP vice-chairman Graeme Outerbridge denounced recent comments by Minister of Tourism, Telecommunications and E-Commerce Renee Webb that Government should give contracts to people that look like her.

The comments unleashed a wave of criticism of the Ministerclaiming her statements were racist.

"The beat goes on and other members in the PLP are using the race card to throw a fog over Government when the heat is turned up on accountability," Mr. Outerbridge said.

"The NLP strongly condemns the PLP Government for its personal attacks on individuals highlighting concerns that are too serious to ignore. Ms Webb's comments of protecting one's own show her penchant for attacking without thinking."

He also accused the PLP of handling its time in Government as poorly as the UBP governments that preceded them.

"The PLP continues to mirror some of the worst traits of past UBP governments," he said. "They do not listen to constructive ideas, the patterns of decisions from immigration show the same influence peddling as under the UBP.

"If Ms Webb is so concerned about Bermudian empowerment why did she bring in foreign photographers when Bermudian photographers were never offered the work and the work was never advertised.

"You cannot be for Bermudians when you do not give Bermudians a fair chance (on) something as fundamental as work."

In addition to his NLP position, Mr. Outerbridge is a member of the Bermuda Professional Photographers Association.

The group was outraged earlier this summer when Government awarded a foreign photographer a fast-track work permit to shoot a brochure for the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

Mr. Outerbridge claimed at the time Bermudian photographers were not allowed to apply for the work, a claim that was later denied by Labour Minister Terry Lister who said a Bermudian photographer had done some of the work.

The NLP press release also said the party was the only political option which embraced all members of the community.

"The NLP embraces a philosophy of inclusion and wants an integrated Bermuda brimming with social success at all levels," Mr. Outerbridge said.

"The UBP used to say that the Bogeyman was black and the PLP says the Bogeyman is white but the NLP thinks the Bogeyman is actually just the Bogeyman.

"The NLP takes the line from Dumas 'All for one and one for all!' Any less is not good enough for 'our' Bermuda."

Mr. Outerbridge also responded to comments from Ms Webb that he had not spoken out when former NLP member and now UBP MP Jamahl Simmons said the PLP was "drunk on power".

"Ms Webb wonders why the NLP did not answer," he said. "Recent political history would indicate that (Simmons) has no standing with the NLP or the wider political community. He is a novice MP attempting by any means to take the stage."