Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards came under fire by the PLP this week following his criticism of Government efforts to appease the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.While the Progressive Labour Party said Mr Richards proposed a course of action that would bring about a financial disaster, the One Bermuda Alliance member responded that the PLP were twisting his words.“Bermuda needs intelligent discussion to determine the best course for our people,” Mr Richards said. “Unfortunately, that’s not the concern of the Government’s Distortion Express.”The argument began in the House of Assembly on Friday, when Mr Richards said his party viewed the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with “a huge amount of scepticism.”He argued that the “offshore world” were being required to conduct business at a higher standard than the “onshore world,” and that Bermuda is being made to meet standards set by countries that don’t meet the standards themselves.“Last year we had some requirements from this organisation that we fulfilled,” he said. “This year, the Minister [Premier Paula Cox] has brought the House further progress, more fulfillments that we have to fulfill, more requirements that we have fulfilled.“My thesis is that this will be a never-ending exercise. Insofar as Bermuda and other offshore jurisdictions are concerned, it will never be enough. We will never satisfy them.”Responding in the House, Premier Cox said it is important that Bermuda remains a global player, and that the rules of engagement are not targeted solely to offshore jurisdictions.In a statement released on Monday, the Progressive Labour Party said that Mr Richards had made a “risky pronouncement” which if followed could land Bermuda on the OECD black list.“Mr Richards suggested Bermuda disobey requirements of the OECD,” the statement read. “The OECD has the power to place countries on an international black list and label them tax havens.”Neville Tyrrell, the party’s candidate for Devonshire East, described the pronouncement as unworkable and dangerous, saying: “Do you think being a black listed country and an internationally known tax haven would be good for our reputation and help bring business to Bermuda? Quite the opposite.“It would be a disaster for our country and it would cause significant damage to our economy.”Responding, Mr Richards said: “I questioned Government’s devotion to signing what appears to be an unending series of tax agreement with countries that have no strategic or economic connection to the Island — all to satisfy standards OECD members themselves do not meet.“In effect, I was urging the Government to make sure it was doing the right thing for Bermuda.“By way of response, the Premier’s people launched an attack based on my ‘rejection of OECD international standards of tax compliance.’ This was a deliberate distortion and a lie and that they should say this cooked-up position would lead to financial disaster for Bermuda is despicable.”Mr Richards further said that financial disaster has already struck Bermuda, noting job losses and rising Government debt.