Shadow Home Affairs Minister Maxwell Burgess urged Press officers to stop playing the role of spin doctors for the politicians.

He took a swipe at a Police media man Dwayne Caines who mounted a defence of Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton, who was involved in a spat with an American Airlines steward on Sunday.

He said a Police spokesman should have merely said there was in investigation rather than try to promote one side over the other.

The facts of the row, which allegedly saw Mr. Horton being interviewed by Police, should be given to the public of Bermuda when the investigation is over, said Mr. Burgess.

?I don?t want our civil servants, our public officers finding themselves having to take on the role of spin doctors,? he said.

?Yes the country is sick, and yes we need a doctor but, I can reassure you it isn?t a spin doctor we require at this time.

?It does the public service a grave disservice. They must always be seen to be above the politics of the hour. It must be about doing what?s right, fair and equitable.

?Trying to put into context what any of the parties involved in the dispute might have said was stretching it a bit far.

?I would want to believe the Commissioner of Police agrees with the position I have taken and has drawn it to the attention of the particular person.?

Mr. Caines told : ?I am very clear that my position is apolitical. I take my role as a civil servant very seriously.?

And Mr. Burgess hit out after a Government Press officer failed to pass on a query to the Chief Immigration Officer about US fugitive Franklin Wellington Fahnbulleh III, who is married to a Bermudian but is wanted in the States after being indicted for three sexual assault charges.

Press officer John Burchall had told he was not prepared to bother Chief Immigration Officer Martin Brewer with the query on a Sunday merely over information from a foreign newspaper article.

Mr. Burgess said protecting Bermuda?s shores is a 24/7 job and the concern should have been passed on. ?I think that was a bad call,? he said.

Mr. Burchall did not return calls yesterday.