Members of the Bermuda Federation of Musicians and Variety Artists (BFMVA) remained tight-lipped following a meeting yesterday afternoon to consider the removal of controversial and long-time president Lloyd Simmons.

Despite efforts by The Royal Gazette to get comment following the meeting, members of the new union executive, including Gita Blakeney, Deletta Gillespie, Selena Lambert, Rick Hawke and Derek Morris declined to comment.

It is believed members were to vote on a nominations for a new executive committee - including these members who were appointed last year.

It has been more than ten years since the BFMVA held an annual general meeting.

A report, describing meetings between the new committee members and Minister of Cultural Affairs Dale Butler, and also with Stuart Hayward, who had been commissioned by the Minister to examine the state of the local music scene, left no doubt about the extent of the internal rancour.

According to an article in Friday's Mid-Ocean News, the report, entitled “Musicians and the Entertainment Industry in Bermuda” was presented in February and accepted by the BFMVA committee, as well as Mr. Butler's offer to make Mr. Hayward available to the union as a representative to “work with the Government and venue operators to implement the Report's recommendations”.

According to sources Mr. Simmons chose not to attend weekly meetings and it was not until April 2, a day before a scheduled special general meeting, that he took part in any of the proceedings. However, BFMVA general secretary, Miles Manders stated that Mr. Simmons spent most of the time making “discrediting statements” against Mr. Butler, Mr. Hayward and several other parties he claimed were conspiring against him, or the union.

It is believed the committee felt it had no choice but to entertain charges against Mr. Simmons following more of this “disruptive behaviour” at meetings which followed.

According to members, Mr. Simmons began to “verbally attack and threaten to discredit members of the executive nominated by the membership, members not only accepted by him, but used by him in his attempts to verify that the union was an operating entity, and justify his continued presidency.”

The committee suspended Mr. Simmons pending a hearing and issued several orders including that he make no public statements or engage in any acts in the name of the presidency.

It was alleged by Mr. Manders that Mr. Simmons violated both of these orders. At yesterday's meeting members were asked to consider the committee's opinion “that Mr. Simmons is no longer fit to lead the Union, and we place these facts before you for your deliberation and decision”. When contacted last night, members of the executive committee declined to comment, stating that a formal statement would be released later today. One member did however confirm that Mr. Simmons was at the meeting.