Government has already ruled out giving status to long-term residents -- despite offering it as an option for proposed law changes.

Opposition MPs and activists attacked the confusion after a discussion document with the anomaly was leaked to The Royal Gazette .

The paper, given by Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox, to last month's seminar on Bermuda at St. Antony's College, Oxford, said: "Even at the stage of publishing the Green Paper on long-term residents, the Government had already decided that they should not be granted Bermuda status.'' But on the next page the Minister said: "Despite the Government's disavowal of granting Bermuda status as its preferred option, Bermuda status is included amongst the list of options for those long-term residents thought to be eligible.'' The Government's Green Paper last summer put forward increased rights for long-term residents but without the right to vote which status would give.

The Minister declined to comment on the paper -- a spokesman for the department said the document was supposed to be private and Ms Cox was staggered that it had been leaked.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley said: "People gave out the speeches and there were Bermudian students there.

"There were enough people there for the word to get out anyhow.

"We are most concerned about the Government procrastinating on the issue.

"This seems very strange and ambiguous. It is raising hopes that have no chance of being realised.

"Long-term residents want to know what is going on but the Government is very coy about saying. It looks like of all places she has gone overseas to make this speech.

"At St. Antony's College the Government was talking out of both sides of its mouth. They are betwixt and between.

"Obviously when Government speaks people listen. If there is any confusion in the message you will face criticism from both sides.

"People are looking for answers. It's incumbent upon the Government to be clear and concise.'' Portuguese activist Eddie DeMello said: "Well it certainly needs clarification -- whether you accept what was said on page two or page three.

"It would be nice if she could explain what she really means.'' "A lot of long term residents are awaiting the outcome.'' He said long term residents were forking out for rent because they were barred from buying houses.

The St. Antony's paper also states that there would be a moratorium on status until the independence issue is settled.

Mr. DeMello said: "If independence comes they would have to give those people status, full rights. That's usually what happens.

"We are very concerned -- if Bermuda doesn't get independence then those people aren't going to get anything.'' But Mr. DeMello said the Government was making a tactical mistake as well as a moral one by denying long term residents the right to vote.

"I think if the present Government was to grant status then long term residents would certainly vote for them.

"They would vote for someone who has done something for them rather than for someone who has done nothing for them. The UBP didn't give them anything.

"It would be very clever to give those people the vote.'' Opposition MP Trevor Moniz said the PLP had run for election on a xenophobic platform of getting rid of non-Bermudians.

He said it was hard to believe the PLP were going to be objective about the process when they had already said what they were going to do.

"It's putting up window dressing.'' He said options short of status would create second class citizens.

"It will just create a disaster.'' And Mr. Moniz said long term residents were being used as scapegoats by some in the black population angry about perceived injustices caused by other people.

"Why punish them? That's my question -- just because they happen to be a convenient target?''