Resigning Opposition MP Jamahl Simmons has accused a racist clique of mounting a cold, calculated campaign against him while the party leadership did nothing.

And in a blistering attack on the United Bermuda Party he accused it of being a party stuck in the past that called for unity and equality but failed to practice what it preached. Explaining why he wouldn’t be contesting Pembroke West at the next election he said the final straw had been threats made to his supporters by those seeking to oust him.

Mr. Simmons said: “For the past three years I have been subjected to a relentless campaign waged by a small group of whites within the Party. These people have attempted to tarnish my good name, have impeded my efforts to serve the people of Pembroke West and have threatened the employment and livelihood of my black supporters.”

He said while it was the democratic right of UBP members to hold their leaders accountable, their actions have transgressed all bounds. “When my home was virtually destroyed during Hurricane Fabian and my stepson lost his father in that same storm they called me lazy and accused me of not working at a time when my family should have and did come first.

“When my six-year-old was in Boston Children’s Hospital being treated for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis they called me lazy and accused me of not working when my place was as it should be with my son and my family.

“When they refused to work or canvass with me and my family stepped up to fill the void, they accused me of working with PLP supporters. When I dared to confront them and condemn their behaviour they stepped up their efforts and attempted to have me removed. When people dared to stand with me they were threatened and intimidated. This hasn’t been a democratic process, it has been a cold and calculated persecution.

“A cold and calculated persecution that has been waged while the leadership of this Party has sat on its hands and done nothing.”

Mr. Simmons will not seek or accept nomination as a candidate for the UBP at the next general election. However, he did not rule out standing as an independent or crossing the floor to join the PLP but said he was focusing on finishing his term.

Former area MP Erwin Adderley had tried to challenge Mr. Simmons last year but he didn’t have the support of members of the selection committee to force a primary.

On Friday some of Mr. Adderley’s supporters were elected to key constituency posts at the AGM after Mr. Simmons told his backers to stay at home.

Mr. Adderley declined to comment yesterday, other than to say he was surprised and would reflect on what had happened.

One Adderley supporter said Mr. Simmons’ claims about threats being issued were “absolute poppycock”. He added: “I was the person involved — I was the person accused of threatening.”

He said he had been accused of giving a senior party figure’s name to the press. “I had no idea she had changed her job,” he said of the woman who had since become a Civil Servant. And the source said no one in the Adderley camp would threaten anyone. “Our side fights clean.”

He said the party had initially been sympathetic to Mr. Simmons after his personal problems. “He milked that bone dry. You don’t disappear for months and months at a time.”

UBP MP Trevor Moniz said the party’s central office had held off Erwin Adderley’s application to challenge in the seat for a long time. He said the central party had no obligation to help either candidate and that it was a straightforward democratic process.

“I don’t see what his complaint is. I don’t see anything untoward.”

Mr. Moniz said both candidates had merits and any claims of threats needed to be probed by the party. “We need an investigation to get to the bottom of it.”

At his press conference yesterday, Mr. Simmons — who has represented Pembroke West for five years — launched an outspoken attack on his party and predicted it would try to convince people it had nothing to do with racism and there was nothing seriously wrong. “Do not be misled,” he said.

Hinting at policy splits, Mr. Simmons, who has also been a member of both the PLP and National Liberal Party, said during his time in the UBP he had pushed for an agenda to help the average Bermudian.

“Despite my best efforts, the fight to engender a social conscience, compassion for the poor and a commitment to the eradication of racism within the United Bermuda Party has been a dismal failure. Individual members may possess these attributes but the Party does not.

“Today the United Bermuda Party stands revealed as a Party where whites can engage in threats, intimidation and economic terrorism against blacks with impunity.

“Today the United Bermuda Party stands revealed as a party that calls for unity and equality but doesn’t practice what it preaches.

“Today the United Bermuda Party stands revealed as a party stuck in the past while Bermuda and the rest of the world have moved forward.

“The wolf has finally removed the sheep’s clothing. If the UBP cannot commit to eradicating racism within its own membership, how can they be trusted to eradicate racism in Bermuda’s business community and among our people? “When it comes to racism, true leadership doesn’t blink, it doesn’t flinch, it doesn’t run for cover and it certainly doesn’t try to sing it a lullaby.”

Mr. Simmons said previous leader Grant Gibbons had moved against the plotters but Mr. Furbert, whom he had supported when he replaced Dr. Gibbons, had disappointed him by letting the faction prosper despite the alleged threats.

“There were a number of calls made to individuals — some of whom were civil servants that if they were to continue to support me at that meeting then the Government would find out accidentally about their involvement and they would try and get them fired.

“It happened on no less than two occasions — once directly, once indirectly — and nothing was done about it,” added Mr. Simmons.

Mr. Simmons, who had also left the PLP because of their lack of racial integration, said “a small, loud crazy minority” within the UBP’s Pembroke West branch had overthrown the wishes of the majority”.

Progressive Labour Party spokesman Wentworth Christopher said of Mr. Simmons’ resignation: “He had a contribution to make and it’s regrettable it’s taken this turn of events.”