Politicians Michael Dunkley and Michael Fahy yesterday backed down from their threats to gatecrash Immigration Minister David Burch's term limits meeting.

Both said they didn't want to turn the Bermudians-only event into a circus which would have distracted from the key issue of work permits in international business.

However, they maintained Sen. Burch was out of order to ban people he didn't want to attend his meeting — issuing those allowed with wristbands — at the Berkeley Institute last night.

Bermuda Democratic Alliance chairman Mr. Fahy had received an e-mail from Sen. Burch telling him he was not invited "end of story".

Earlier this week he had vowed to attend anyway in his capacity as general counsel to a captive management company.

But yesterday Mr. Fahy said he had reconsidered, telling The Royal Gazette: "People need to hear the message about term limits. That's what the meeting should be about, not a political sideshow, so I decided not to attend."

He said he maintains Sen. Burch was discriminating against him because he's a political opponent.

"It remains in my opinion and many others' a breach of my human rights," said Mr. Fahy.

"The Minister has made it clear he does not care about things like that. He's going to do everything he can to exclude me and others from it."

And he said of the wristband system put in place to make sure expats couldn't get in: "I find that offensive. I'm sure that most right thinking people do as well."

Sen. Dunkley had said he would attend in his role as Shadow Immigration Minister, despite being told to stay away by Sen. Burch who claimed his Senate opponent is "rude".

But yesterday Sen. Dunkley said: "Term limits policy is a real concern within the community. I want to make sure people have an opportunity to focus on the issue.

"I'm concerned that if I went along, all the name calling, all that type of thing, it would be a distraction to the people. I want the end result to be right. People have to be comfortable and able to speak.

"Let me be clear, in no way do I support the Minister's approach on this. I'm just not going to get involved in the Minister's games."