The Premier yesterday derided the PLP for suggesting that a "yes'' vote in the Independence referendum would give Government the freedom to move Bermuda toward nationhood before a consensus has been reached on important issues.

And he accused the Opposition party of "political chicanery,'' crass deception and dishonesty for opposing the referendum which Sir John said was nothing more than an exercise in democracy.

Sir John was responding to comments by PLP MP Mr. Alex Scott on the Shirley Dill radio show Sunday morning.

Mr. Scott, who is spearheading the PLP's anti-referendum campaign, told The Royal Gazette it was not clear where Government stood on Independence.

"People have to realise that the Government may support the referendum, but they do not support Independence,'' he said.

"So we have an important division that Bermudians must take note of. If Bermudians answer `yes' to the referendum it is not clear what the Government's stance will be on Independence.'' Mr. Scott said the division within the United Bermuda Party over Independence will affect its ability to produce position papers -- documents which will set out the Government's position on such controversial issues as citizenship and the appointment of public officers.

Consequently, he said, any steps toward a constitutional conference will be "fraught with questions.'' "Even if those pro-Independence UBP members produce position papers, it is still not clear whether those position papers can be confirmed by the Government itself.

"And it still does not mean that the people who say `yes' at the referendum will have their views reflected in those position papers because they will originate with the Premier and his colleagues.'' But Sir John, in a prepared statement, said such comments were "deceptive at best and malicious at worst.'' "Mr. Scott and his cohorts in the PLP well know that the Government has pledged to produce a number of position papers which will set out in detail its view on a wide range of issues such as the appointment of public officers, the right of appeal to the Privy Council and dual citizenship.'' The Premier said that the Government would follow a "yes'' vote with a constitutional conference which the PLP would also attend.

At that time all outstanding issues would be resolved and a Constitution hammered out.

Mr. Scott said it was not that simple because the British Government would side with Sir John whenever there was division, or the issue would remain moot.

"That is no way for a divided cabinet, a divided country and an Opposition that does not support the referendum ... to move from our colonial status.

"We will simply be taking into our independent state all the problems we are trying to change now,'' he said, warning in other countries that led to "civil war.'' Nonetheless Sir John said the PLP were being dishonest and were "using a red herring to justify their political position.

"One can only assume that these latest comments from Mr. Scott on behalf of the PLP reflect a sense of political desperation, sharpened by the fact that so many persons within the Party's own ranks disagree with the stand the Opposition has taken in relation to the Independence referendum.'' SIR JOHN: Chicanery MR. SCOTT: Divided