The Progressive Labour Party hit back yesterday at criticism of its Independence referendum stand from the National Liberal Party.

Comments by NLP Leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell were "mischievous at best and dishonest at worst,'' PLP referendum campaign committee chairman Mr. Alex Scott MP said in a news release.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr. Darrell said the PLP and United Bermuda Party should have worked together on Independence through a Joint Select Committee.

The NLP felt it must support the referendum and was critical of Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade's call for PLP supporters to boycott the vote expected in July or August. The PLP wants the issue decided in a general election.

"We find the PLP's position a little difficult to understand (unless) Mr.

Wade is so confident that he or his party can win the next election he would become the first Prime Minister,'' Mr. Darrell said.

But Mr. Scott said Mr. Wade inherited the party's Independence stance when he took the reins in 1985.

The party's position had been in place since the PLP was founded in 1963 and "is motivated by an abiding concern for the best interest of the Country and not governed by personal ambitions,'' Mr. Scott said.

The PLP's call for a Joint Select Committee on Independence was rejected by Government, he said.

While the PLP had "a consistent policy'' on Independence, Government had no policy and therefore could not produce a White Paper on the issue, Mr. Scott said.

The referendum was "a flawed formula,'' he said. It was possible the referendum could produce a "yes'' vote but the Government would still be unable to take a position, he said.

The PLP's referendum committee held its first meeting last night.

The NLP was formed in 1984 after a split in the PLP.