The decision to refuse an extension of the Reverend Nicholas Tweed’s work permit has been branded a political attack by the People’s Campaign.

Additionally, the Progressive Labour Party has said that it is “abundantly clear” that Mr Tweed has been treated unfairly by Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the Minister of Home Affairs.

Ms Gordon-Pamplin announced yesterday that she had upheld the refusal of the work permit on the grounds that the post was not advertised and that the application was incomplete and contained inaccuracies.

Responding, a spokeswoman for the People’s Campaign claimed the move was meant to be an attack on the group by the

Bermuda Government.

“The People’s Campaign has stood boldly with Bermudians against the oppressive One Bermuda Alliance Government and their horrid policies, which many times are not in the best interest of the Bermudian people,” the spokeswoman said.

“To this end, it is no secret that the Government views the People’s Campaign and its leadership as an enemy and a threat, as they often refer to the People’s Campaign as part of a fictional combined opposition.

“Every leader of the People’s Campaign has been directly targeted by the OBA Government and their agents. The denial of Mr Tweed’s work permit is another example of a tactic in the OBA Government’s war against the People’s Campaign. The people of Bermuda should not be fooled or confused into believing that the denial of Mr Tweed’s work permit is about an administrative process not being followed or Mr Tweed displacing a Bermudian pastor.

“It is clear that the denial of Mr Tweed’s work permit is political. The people of Bermuda are clear that the OBA Government and their supporters would like nothing more than to see Mr Tweed placed on a plane and shipped out of the country.

“The People’s Campaign will remain steadfast in fighting for the people of this country and we stand 100 per cent in solidarity with our brother, Nicholas Tweed.”

Meanwhile, Walton Brown, the Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, said the PLP was “profoundly disappointed” by the decision. “While successive governments have always worked closely with the critical sectors of our community, including international business, tourism and the social sector to ensure the critical leadership they require is in place, the handling of Mr Tweed’s application has not been given the same weight of consideration,” Mr Brown said via a party release.

“The AME Church was informed that the work permit application for Mr Tweed was being carefully reviewed by immigration. Ongoing correspondence between the Church and immigration suggested that, once issues were resolved, the permit would be approved.

“For the minister to now simply revert to the formal position taken at the beginning of the application process ‘that the rules are the rules’ suggests an insincere review process.”

He said that, historically, for cases involving key personnel — both in the Church and in international business — the approach has been for ministers to work through the challenges with the parties involved.

“Moreover, considering the extreme flexibility and responsiveness granted to work permit applications for America’s Cup staff, where ‘the rules were made flexible’, it seems abundantly clear Mr Tweed has been treated unfairly by the minister and her decision,” Mr Brown said.

“One conclusion that can be drawn is that the denial of Mr Tweed’s work permit renewal is directly related to him being a firm and outspoken advocate for social justice; so much so that the OBA Government views him as a threat to them.

“It seems impossible that the OBA Government could make a convincing argument that the decision regarding Mr Tweed is devoid of political considerations.

“I urge the minister and the OBA Government to urgently reconsider this provocative decision at such a delicate time for Bermuda.”

Dale Butler, the former PLP MP, called for Ms Gordon-Pamplin to resign, writing in a letter to this newspaper: “As a member of St Paul AME, I am appalled at her action and she should resign forthwith because she told us why she was conflicted with his presence. Her statement made her biased and therefore unable to look at it objectively.”

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