The Opposition has pledged to continue to "fight" after failing to win a vote of no confidence in Premier Ewart Brown's Government in the House of Assembly.

But UBP leader Kim Swan gave nothing away last night about what his party's next move would be to try to oust Dr. Brown as the country's leader.

Mr. Swan issued a statement yesterday criticising PLP MPs for failing to back the motion of no confidence, despite many of them disagreeing with Dr. Brown's Guantánamo Four actions.

"By the vote, Progressive Labour Party MPs upheld Dr. Brown's leadership and the direction he is taking the Island," said Mr. Swan. "By the vote, they endorsed his wilful violation of the Constitution. In my view, they put party before the rule of law, self-interest before country."

The motion was prompted by Dr. Brown's decision, without consultation with the Governor or Cabinet, to let four former Guantánamo Bay prisoners seek asylum in Bermuda.

The controversial move sparked two large protests against the Premier last week and a 14-hour debate in Parliament, beginning on Friday afternoon.

The UBP lost the no confidence motion in the early hours of Saturday morning by 22 votes to 11, with all PLP MPs voting against it.

Opposition MP Mark Pettingill abstained, while his party colleague Darius Tucker absented himself from the Lower Chamber.

Mr. Swan said the pair failed to vote, despite being subject to a three-line whip, and their actions would be addressed under the discipline section of the UBP's constitution.

But he said the real issues to focus on concerned Dr. Brown acting outside the Constitution, failing to consult and he and Immigration Minister David Burch giving conflicting statements throughout the Uighur controversy.

"Twice in four days thousands of people marched on Parliament to protest a leader who has proved to be reckless and unaccountable," said Mr. Swan.

"The marches were triggered by the Uighur controversy but fuelled by continuing concerns for eroding standards of conduct within government."

He added: "We are in a fight for the meaning of Bermuda. We are fighting for a country that upholds its Constitution and for a government that is truthful, accountable and law abiding.

"It is a fight we will continue. Saturday morning's vote was not the end of the matter."

The UBP caucus was meeting last night to discuss its next step. Shadow Attorney General Mr. Pettingill said he would attend and explain to his colleagues why he abstained.

"I would more than welcome to have the matter addressed in line with the party constitution," he said. "I have to go and make the position to my colleagues now, who are hopefully beginning to get it."

Mr. Pettingill, who told the House on Friday he believed the motion was instigated by rebel PLP members who wanted the Opposition to do their dirty work and that he would have supported a motion of censure, added that he and Mr. Tucker were "not on the same page".

"He absented himself," said the Shadow Justice Minister. "I can't support that."

Shadow Sports Minister Mr. Tucker said he would not speak publicly on why he left the chamber until he had talked with his branch. "I'm not going to make a comment until they are fully aware of my position and stance," he said.

He added that he was in the coffee room in Sessions House when the vote was taken. Mr. Tucker, the UBP member for Hamilton South, was the only MP not present.