Premier Ewart Brown and human rights leader Venous Memari will meet today to discuss "increasingly vitriolic comments" which have dominated newspapers and talk shows in recent days.

Human Rights Commission chair Ms Memari yesterday spoke out to say she had serious concerns about a string of remarks which she said are dividing the community.

United Bermuda Party Leader Kim Swan blames the Premier's constant playing of the race card for setting the tone for those who look up to him, such as new Cabinet Minister Walter Roban.

After being made aware of Ms Memari and Mr. Swan's comments, Dr. Brown scheduled a meeting with the HRC chair for what he hopes will be an "open-minded and frank discussion".

Ms Memari told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "Whilst the Human Rights Commission does not wish to get involved in the political rhetoric, it has serious concerns about the increasingly vitriolic comments being made in our newspapers and on the radio.

"Many of these comments are very divisive and are not helpful in moving our society forward in a positive way.

"Living in a free democratic society we are all entitled to our points of view, and we have a right to express those views, but with this freedom comes responsibility — the responsibility to respect the opinions of others who do not share our own point of view."

Minister without portfolio Mr. Roban and Progressive Labour Party Chairman Wentworth Christopher sparked anger earlier this week with remarks to a white resident who complained about Dr. Brown.

Since then, race has been a hot topic on the radio and the letters pages as members of the public have stepped up the rhetoric.

Dr. Brown said in a statement last night: "With the help of Sen. Walton Brown I have reached out to Venous Memari.

"After reading her comments I thought the best leadership approach was to talk with her face to face.

"Ms Memari and I are scheduled to meet on Friday. I have always found her to be a profound thinker in our community and a passionate advocate who has the Country's best interests at heart.

"Although some will draw conclusions prematurely, I note Ms Memari's comments do not reference politics, race or any other preconceived notion which suggests an open-minded and frank discussion when we meet."

Mr. Swan said in a statement: "We share the Human Rights Commission's serious concerns.

"Members of any community take their cue from those in leadership positions, who are expected to set an example.

"Dr. Brown's constant focus on race and his continuing divisiveness has unfortunately set the tone for many others, including, as we have seen recently, members of his Cabinet and his political supporters.

"If Premier Brown would concentrate more on being a leader for all people in this community, not just some of the black population, this would become a better and healthier place for everyone.

"The United Bermuda Party was founded on the principle of black and white Bermudians working together in equal partnership — and as leader I will continue to work to break down racial barriers and do my best to bring this community together."

Earlier this week, this newspaper reported how Mr. Roban wrote to constituent Claire Smith and told her that he did not correspond with "racists and bigots".

He described her as a "member of an uncontrolled mob", incorrectly believing she had participated in an anti-Dr. Brown demonstration last month.

Ms Smith had e-mailed all PLP MPs to say Dr. Brown should be kicked out of office for his "dictatorial leadership style, grandiose spending, questionable ethics, inflated ego, lack of transparency and stirring up of racial hatred".

She has also complained about the "disenfranchisement of white people" under Dr. Brown's leadership.

Mr. Roban has said he will not comment further on the issue.

Mr. Christopher came in for criticism after writing a letter to this newspaper saying Ms Smith appeared to have "a genetic predisposition or a socialisation experience that gives her an anti-PLP bias".

Asked whether he stood by that sentence, he replied: "Your inquiry to me suggests that you consider my comments divisive. I do not. They were a reaction to a litany of accusatory characterisations. Is it not divisive when one voter states that everybody she knows is hurt over the disenfranchisement of white people?

"You should know that in the past I handled documentary evidence that showed how certain persons in the community were disenfranchised.

"I asked for one example from her. I said that sort of rhetoric exacerbates the racial divide and we should try to heal.

"Does the only reaction of which you are aware pertain to my last sentence? Are the other remarks not worthy of comment? None of the accusations have been withdrawn or modified. If that is done I may consider assuaging the concerns of the number of people who communicated with you."

Numerous community leaders have urged Dr. Brown to quit playing the race card over the past few months.

However, his critics, including many in the PLP, say it works in the Premier's political favour to keep the Island divided on race grounds. Dr. Brown argues he can't be divisive because he was born into a divided Bermuda.