The PLP has released the statement signed by Cabinet ministers in support of under-fire Premier Ewart Brown, insisting that it is not an oath of allegiance or loyalty.

The party said the document was written and circulated by Home Affairs Minister David Burch and intended as a press statement to show ministers' solidarity with the Premier in the wake of an attempt by rebel MPs to oust him.

But after it was signed by all nine of Dr. Brown's Cabinet colleagues last week, it was decided not to make it public. The so-called "oath" described as such by Deputy Premier Paula Cox on a talk radio show has since been the subject of much speculation and criticism.

But a statement from the PLP last night said it was no such thing."There has never been an 'oath of loyalty' except in the media and in the imagination of the Opposition leader,"said the statement from the party.

The two-page document on unheaded paper provided to The Royal Gazette by the PLP says in its entirety: "Because of the recent discussions in the media regarding the leadership of our Premier, Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown JP MP, we find it necessary to issue the following statement:

'Premier Ewart Brown enjoys the full support of Cabinet members and we acknowledge that there are various stories in print and on talk radio about whether Premier Brown will maintain the leadership of the PLP. Our intent here is to state that members of Cabinet stand behind the Premier and expect to continue to perform as a unified Government working on behalf of the Bermudian people.'"

Before the document, written by Senator Burch, was released to this newspaper last night, Opposition leader Kim Swan issued a statement describing the "oath of allegiance" as "a new low for the good and proper governance of Bermuda".

After the contents were read to him, he said he stood by his remarks. The Premier, he said, was the first among equals and it was not necessary for oaths or statements to be signed by ministers in support of him.

The PLPstatement said:

"There is a press statement signed by all nine Cabinet Ministers and nowhere on that document do the words 'oath' or 'loyalty' appear.

"However, both words appear in a Saturday Royal Gazette headline and at least 15 times in a statement from the Opposition leader. Give us a break!"

The statement said it was a waste of time to pour cold water on "made up news stories and political attacks" when there was important work for the country's leaders to do.

Mr. Swan's said in his statement that the UBP's major concern was that the "oath" contaminated each minister's constitutional responsibility to act "for the good management of the public affairs of Bermuda".

He said it came between each minister and their "sacred"constitutional oath and contained "that potential betrayal of what should be a Cabinet Minister's first and only loyalty, which is to the people of Bermuda".

He challenged all nine ministers to clearly state whether their loyalty lay with Tourism and Transport Minister Dr. Brown or the people of Bermuda.

"It is sad that Bermuda has come to this point, where the politics of one man makes it necessary to ask such questions,"added Mr. Swan.

He added:"History is replete with examples where societies went off the rails by declaring their first loyalty to an individual. Bermuda is in the process of doing just that, but simply because the Cabinet has done it does not mean the rest of Bermuda need be sucked into that dead end."

PLP chairman David Burt told this newspaper that the statement drafted by Sen. Burch was not issued after the party's central committee gave its backing to Dr. Brown last Monday.

He said "it was likely felt that releasing it would just serve to prolong a story that really didn't need prolonging" about the leadership issue.

Mr. Burt said: "[The] statement was composed and circulated by Minister Burch. There was not a request from the party or the Premier."

Ms Cox told radio host Everest DeCosta that she added a written caveat to her "oath", adding she felt there was no need for the declaration of loyalty to Dr. Brown, who survived a debate about his leadership sparked by three backbenchers last Wednesday.

A handwritten note signed "P. Cox" and dated May 4, 2009, appears on the statement compiled by Sen. Burch. The Finance Minister wrote: "Note that this in no way fetters the Cabinet ministers being able to freely discuss and participate in the caucus meeting this week and clearly there should be no intent to fetter the full, frank and democratic discussion that is geared to working in the best interests of Bermuda."