"censorship, bias, and collusion'', the Senate Opposition Leader charged yesterday.

The accusation came as it was revealed that contrary to reports yesterday, the Broadcasting Commission had issued a warning about the show.

"We feel the Broadcasting Commission should be the one to come to the public and explain how this decision was taken,'' Sen. Alex Scott said yesterday.

The Bermuda Broadcasting Company programme went off the air on Tuesday night after host Mr. Walton Brown accused Government of censorship.

Mr. Brown claimed he was issued a directive from the Government-appointed Broadcasting Commissioners requiring that all future topics and guests be vetted by the BBC.

But BBC managing director Mr. Malcolm Fletcher said the company issued the directive on its own because of concerns the March 2 show, which featured an interview with Shadow Finance Minister Mr. Eugene Cox breached political broadcasting rules.

Yesterday, Government Telecommunications Inspector Mr. Ted Pitman confirmed he wrote to the BBC on the instructions of the Broadcasting Commissioners on Monday, March 8.

The letter informed the BBC the programme of March 2 "was deemed to be of a political nature,'' and reminded the station to comply with the rules governing such broadcasts in future, Mr. Pitman said.

But the BBC was not instructed to take any specific action, he said.

In the Senate, Information and Telecommunications Minister the Hon. Michael Winfield , the Government leader in the Senate, said: "At no time did I or anyone in Government get involved. The Broadcasting Commission is an independent body.'' Sen. Wendell Hollis (UBP) said he "enjoyed'' the March 2 episode and was saddened to see the programme cancelled.

"I was surprised when the Broadcasting Commissioners raised some concerns about the show,'' Sen. Hollis said. "I don't believe that it conflicted with the broadcasting regulations.'' It was true Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul declined an invitation to appear on the programme because the show was taped when he was busy with the Budget and attending a Cabinet meeting.

Sen. Scott said he could not understand why the Broadcasting Commission acted so quickly in the recent case. More than two years ago, he wrote to the chairman of the Broadcasting Commission complaining about a ZBM programme on which a Government official appeared, he said.

"To this date, we have not heard a peep from that commission, from the chairman, from anyone,'' he said.

Sen. Winfield said it was unacceptable if Sen. Scott had not received a response. He asked for more information so he could investigate.

Mr. Pitman said he could not recall the complaint offhand. It was "very unlikely'' the commission would receive a complaint and not respond.