Premier Ewart Brown and the Department of Tourism have failed to defend faith-based tourism boss Andre Curtis against suggestions he has grossly misled the public over how many visitors he has brought to Bermuda.

Mr. Curtis has continuously refused to back up his claim to have attracted 1,500 tourists through the controversial scheme in 2007-08.

United Bermuda Party MP Wayne Furbert, a well-known member of the church community who has repeatedly attacked Mr. Curtis' handling of faith-based tourism, argues the true figure is probably no more than 100.

Tourism Minister Dr. Brown and the Department of Tourism have shunned all questions over how many events have taken place this financial year, and how many people came to the Island to see them.

They have also failed to shed any light on a mystery event called "Weekend Fit For A King", which Mr. Curtis claims he organised in September, but about which no records exist other than something of that name at Grotto Bay Hotel in 2006.

Over the past few days, The Royal Gazette asked the Department of Tourism, Mr. Curtis and the Premier through his Press Secretary Glenn Jones:

• How many tourists have come to Bermuda for faith-based tourism events in 2007-08?

• How many events have there been in 2007-08?

• What was "Weekend Fit For A King"? Where did it take place and on what date?

• Are we to assume that the continued failure to respond to any questions means Mr. Curtis' claim that the figure so far is roughly 1,500 is a grossly misleading exaggeration?

• Are we to assume that, contrary to what Mr. Curtis claimed previously, no event by the name of "Weekend Fit For A King" has actually taken place in 2007-08?

• Are we to assume that nobody is able to say how many events have taken place as part of faith-based tourism in 2007-08?

• Please provide any information you can to prove these assumptions wrong.

We received no response.

Mr. Curtis is contracted to receive $400,000 taxpayers' money to run faith-based tourism in 2007-08, and must organise ten events, luring a total 2,200 visitors.

He and the Premier both deny faith-based tourism is being used as a method for Dr. Brown to get cash to Mr. Curtis as a thank you gesture for running his constituency in Warwick South Central.

In a list of events Mr. Curtis advertised in The Royal Gazette in the summer, the recent CeCe Winans concert was number four for the financial year.

Three weeks ago, Mr. Curtis claimed CeCe Winans was event number six.

He most recently claimed it was event number five.

Dr. Brown has repeatedly stated he will answer questions through the Parliamentary process, not over the summer or after Parliament was dissolved ahead of next Tuesday's General Election.

Mr. Furbert and Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley have been calling for him to break his silence.

Mr. Furbert said yesterday: "Faith-based tourism was not based on bringing tourists. I'm convinced it was to get money to Curtis.

"Now they have been caught out, they don't know how to answer. They can't answer because the election is on the doorstep.

"The Premier has gone quiet. He needs to be honest with the people of Bermuda and be accountable to taxpayers on how the money was given to Curtis.

"Somebody needs to be held accountable. The buck stops with the Premier."