Bermuda Sloop Foundation has distanced itself from a claim that the former captain of the Spirit of Bermuda left the Island due to a financial dispute between his wife and Government senator Walton Brown.

But the wife — Christen Pears, former managing editor of Sen. Brown's Bermuda Network News — confirmed to The Royal Gazette yesterday that the row over money was the main reason she and Chris Blake headed to Australia.

Ms Pears sued the Junior Education Minister's MediaCom company for $10,500 in unpaid wages, health bills and other expenses in 2008.

The case was settled earlier this month when Sen. Brown paid $6,000 to Ms Pears and she dropped her civil claim.

Jay Kempe, Bermuda Sloop Foundation's deputy chairman, appeared on behalf of Ms Pears in Magistrates' Court on Friday, when the matter was formally withdrawn.

The retired lawyer and Sloop Foundation co-founder said after the hearing: "I think it's sad that we lost a very good captain as a result of Mr. Brown's failure to meet his commitments. Our Foundation suffered from it and the youth of Bermuda suffered from it."

His remarks appeared in a story in Saturday's edition of The Royal Gazette, prompting PLP politician Sen. Brown to e-mail Mr. Kempe to say: "You clearly have taken leave of your senses."

The Foundation's executive committee — Alan Burland, John Wadson and Ralph Richardson — later issued a joint statement, distancing themselves from Mr. Kempe's comments, which they said were his private opinion and not reflective of the charity's position.

They said Mr. Kempe was a former member of the executive and that they were "most disturbed... to be drawn into a financial dispute involving Sen. Walton Brown and one of his former employees".

"The financial dispute was solely a matter between an employer and employee and was in no way related to the operation or activities of Bermuda Sloop Foundation.

"Captain Chris Blake left our Foundation, on good terms, due primarily to a medical challenge requiring both complex surgery and a long recovery period. The Bermuda Sloop Foundation wishes to make it clear that it has no issues with Sen. Brown."

Mr. Kempe said he was remiss in not making clear that he was speaking personally and not on behalf of the Foundation.

"I now wish to formally make this clear and I have also made this clear to Mr. Brown," he added.

Ms Pears, now a personal trainer in Fremantle, Western Australia, said yesterday: "To put the record straight, Chris did indeed need a hip replacement operation.

"However, the main reason we left Bermuda was the difficulty I had with Walton.

"Chris very much enjoyed working with the Sloop and was proud to be involved with such a worthwhile project. The Foundation looked after us while Chris was employed with them and even offered to contribute towards the hip surgery.

"Unfortunately, my situation became untenable and we were obliged to leave the Island. The whole experience also dampened my enthusiasm for journalism, hence the move into the fitness industry."

Sen. Brown said: "I'm not going to get involved in these issues. Bermuda Sloop Foundation issued a statement identifying the reasons for Mr. Blake's departure and I'm happy to accept it as their reason.

"It has always been a private business matter and, for some reason, Ms Pears has felt her case could be advanced by going to the media."

Mr. Blake is now captain and chief operating officer of Leeuwin II — Australia's largest ocean-going sail training ship — and helped arrange for young Bermudian Mario Swainson to sail on board the vessel for six months as part of an exchange programme.