Race adviser Rolfe Commissiong has upset Progressive Labour Party MPs by aggressively targeting sitting MP Ashfield DeVent in Pembroke South East.

Mr Commissiong is said to have yelled across Cabinet grounds at the end of the Throne Speech earlier this month: “This is the last time you’ll see Ashfield DeVent walking down here!”

Constituency 21 residents say Mr Commissiong has maligned Mr DeVent while canvassing and claimed Premier Paula Cox is backing his effort to turf the Junior Economy Minister out of the seat he’s held for eight years.

Ms Cox has stressed she has kept well away from the issue and has no intention of undermining the selection process.

Mr Commissiong is also said to have released flyers touting himself as the area’s ideal candidate for the next General Election, and called a meeting with constituents while Mr DeVent was off the Island.

Four MPs have told The Royal Gazette they are unhappy with Mr Commissiong, saying it’s not normal practice to undermine a sitting Parliamentarian, while the branch is also said to have expressed concern.

Neither Mr Commissiong nor Mr DeVent who have publicly clashed over how Bermuda’s gang violence problems should be tackled responded to requests for a comment.

Under changes to the PLP’s constitution, any members are able to challenge for any seat, with the branch members voting over who they want to represent them.

The PLP would not comment directly on Constituency 21, but spokesman Curtis Williams said: “The party has a candidate selection process and that is an internal matter and when we are ready to announce candidates that will be done in the normal course of things.

“The party leader has advised the appropriate parties that despite the rumours she has been clear and does not pervert the process. She is a fervent advocate for process and does not act to undermine the process.”

Mr DeVent, who lives in the ‘back-of-town’ and Mr Commissiong, who grew up there, competed against each other in the 2002 by-election following the death of Tourism Minister David Allen.

Mr DeVent was eventually elected, with Mr Commissiong receiving no votes at branch level.

Mr Commissiong later publicly criticised the MP’s record as Housing Minister, while more recently the pair locked horns after Mr Commissiong spoke out against Mr DeVent’s call for a discussion on the decriminalisation of marijuana.

Mr DeVent said Mr Commissiong had a “frightening” stance by blaming Bermuda’s problems on racism; Mr Commissiong responded by accusing Mr DeVent of being “a little slow” and “an invisible MP”.

Mr Commissiong’s contract as Government’s race consultant has now expired after four years in former Premier Ewart Brown’s administration.

He is helping put in place the recommendations from the Mincy Report into young black males.