Progressive Labour Party candidate Marc Bean will not take a drug test before the Warwick South Central by-election — unlike his political rivals.

The other two contenders to become MP for constituency 26 — Bermuda Democratic Alliance's Sylvan Richards Jr. and the United Bermuda Party's Devrae Noel-Simmons — announced on Wednesday they had been tested to prove they were drug-free.

But the PLP said in a statement that while it supported a drug-free Bermuda "there is currently no policy that requires any members of Parliament to submit themselves to drug testing, neither in advance of an election, nor during their term in the House of Assembly".

The statement said: "The sole focus of our candidate for Warwick South Central is to strengthen and deepen the relationship between himself, his constituents and their Government.

"The residents of constituency 26 desire a solutions-oriented team approach to Government, not political theatrics."

Mr. Richards sent the results of a drug test taken on Wednesday to the media, along with a statement which said the BDA embraced "transparency and openness in conducting the people's business" and calling for all the candidates to submit to a drug test before the December 15 by-election.

"To show that I am embracing transparency and willing to walk the walk, I have submitted myself to a full testing and my results are here for all to see," he said. "In the coming weeks, I will be listening to the concerns of local area residents and setting a local agenda so that area residents will be properly represented in the House of Assembly."

BDA leader Craig Cannonier said: "Sylvan has demonstrated his character in leading by example in taking a drug test.

"The constituents of number 26 deserve to know that Sylvan will not just talk — he is a man of action. After all, actions speak louder than words."

Mr. Noel-Simmons, who was convicted of cocaine possession two years ago, showed reporters the results of a drug test taken on October 15 after he was rolled out as the UBP's candidate on Wednesday.

UBP leader Kim Swan said: "The United Bermuda Party has long advocated that all candidates need to commit to be randomly drug tested.

"Our candidate did what we as a party all commit to do; that is, submit to random drug testing. Devrae has already been drug tested and is aware that he can be called upon at any time to do so.

"His United Bermuda Party colleagues have done likewise in the past and we remain committed to do so when called in the future."

Five years ago, the Progressive Labour Party blocked a UBP motion in the House of Assembly to have MPs undergo voluntary random drug tests.

Takbir Sharrieff, of Bermudians Against Narcotics, said at the time he was "sickened" that the Government had rejected drug testing for parliamentarians.