The United Bermuda Party has deferred a decision on whether to withdraw the whip from Wayne Furbert after he attacked the selection of Senator Charlie Swan for the Southampton West Central by-election.

MPs met yesterday lunchtime, without Mr. Furbert present, but agreed to discuss the matter later.

UBP Chairman Michael Fahy said MPs decided it would be fairer to allow further notice for Mr. Furbert to attend and answer allegations of bringing the party into disrepute.

And he denied that Mr. Furbert had been barred from attending and voting yesterday.

He said: "He was given notice but for whatever reason didn't appear."

Some Opposition MPs fear Mr. Furbert could carry out his threat to quit the party if he is ousted from the parliamentary group.

A former leader of the UBP, Mr. Furbert has been vocal in his criticisms of the party in recent months, even claiming in April that the party could never win as it was distrusted — even by blacks who didn't like the PLP.

He then claimed the UBP had taken a backward step by choosing Sen. Swan and should have picked a by-election candidate of stature who could be a future leader.

The outburst was branded as "disgraceful" by UBP leader Kim Swan who added that it demonstrated a "total lack of leadership and his utter lack of judgment".

Mr. Furbert declined to comment last night about the disciplinary action.