Government MP Wayne Perinchief has called for a Commission of Inquiry into Police and other services after alleging security had been severely breached.

He claimed hard-core drug pushers had been caught red-handed but let off and said it might be time to let overseas management take over to stop the rot.

After alleging Police had been compromised he told the House last night: "I would not even mention that unless I had at least some evidence it be true.

"Consider the circumstances the same individuals who are accused of running drugs who are actually apprehended with drugs in hand and charged with possession of drugs, they then fall off the radar screen, they have never been indicted.

"What conclusion can we come to? These individuals are known by name. Subsequently the same individuals are attacked.

"We know who they are, I know who they are. I am not afraid to say who they are at the appropriate time and to the appropriate people."

Mr. Perinchief, a former Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the House could be a talking shop or a "toothless dog", if MPs let it but plain talk was vital now.

Speaking after last week's murder and a spate of other shootings, and amid unconfirmed reports of further gunfire last night in 42nd Street.

Mr. Perinchief continued: "All hell is breaking loose, our security has been severely compromised by young men with guns, they are shooting each other and it won't be long before they are shooting us because anyone who gets between them is at risk.

"Certainly it is time to take a look at the institutions that are supposed to be protecting our security.

"If it is time for a Commission of Inquiry as to how our Police, custom and prison service operates then let it be so.

"If the people in charge are incapable of discharging their responsibility then sack them."

He said he had long been a supporter of Bermudianisation. "I do believe that Bermudians can step up and fulfil any role in this country."

But he also said that because of Bermuda's small size that neutrality could be difficult to maintain because of family or personal relationships.

And he said it could be time Cabinet and Government House brought back some neutrality to customs, police and prisons with outside help.

"I think it's time for some serious introspection. Institutions have been failing and have been failing for a while and things are coming to a head.

"This situation is not one which will pass, there has been a sustained attack on public order.

"There were several murders, all connected in some way or another. We know that drugs drive the motivation for many of them.

"People are fighting for turf, money and power, they don't care who they hurt or who gets in the middle.

"The drug economy is extremely powerful in the country. It is compromising our judicial system, our Police service, our prison service, our custom service and it will eventually compromise our entire economy."

He said not only were men avoiding work to hustle but young women were joining banks, not for the nominal wage but to launder cash and wire money to buy drugs.

"You don't get a BMW by working as a bank teller or doing a menial job at a hotel at the front desk."

He also called for an end to the back and forth debate between Government House and Cabinet about who was responsible for Policing with the buck appearing to stop nowhere.

He said: "The buck stops here. We set the budget. He who pays the piper calls the tune.

"We have discussed this amongst ourselves and we have come to the conclusion that indeed that is the case."