The Human Rights Commission has been charged with adopting a narrowing focus on same-sex marriage, during a parliamentary debate on its budget.

Marc Bean, the leader of the Opposition, recalled the Bermuda Government’s assurances in the 2013 debate on including sexual orientation under the Human Rights Act that same-sex marriage had not been on the agenda.

“That’s why I have an issue with this Human Rights Commission,” Mr Bean told MPs during the budget debate on non-ministerial entities.

“If you look at its objectives, it is supposed to cover a broad spectrum, but it seems like today the primary focus in on same-sex marriage.”

Accusing the Government of deception, Mr Bean said the push for same-sex unions was “one of the main reasons why people are tired of the One Bermuda Alliance”, which Michael Dunkley called “drivel”.

Mr Bean also said that the independent selection committee for the HRC’s chairman could be neither non political nor non partial, saying that his wife, lawyer Simone Smith-Bean, had been invited to serve but opted not to when she realised that Toni Daniels, a former OBA senator, was on the committee.

He went on to speculate whether a new definition of marriage would be sought in three or four years’ time, adding: “Who knows? It may include bestiality.”

Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the Minister of Community, Culture and Sport, said that Mr Bean had “defeated his own argument”, since members were invited to join the committee from across a broad spectrum of the community.

Saying there was nothing “sinister” to the HRC, the minister told the House its mandate was rights for all.

Earlier the Premier told MPs that the HRC continued to receive increasing numbers of complaints of discrimination, rising by 40 per cent year over year.

The HRC’s transition into being a non-ministerial department comes into effect on April 1. Its rentals for the coming fiscal year are estimated at $184,000 — a drop of $79,000 reflected in its relocation from its former premises in the Mechanics Building.

It was an often sharply worded debate, with Mr Bean repeatedly telling the OBA that they had lost credibility and had failed to be transparent with the public.

During discussions of the budget for the Information Commissioner’s office, the Opposition Leader chastised the Government for redacting details on the airport redevelopment agreement, in response to parliamentary questions from the Progressive Labour Party.

“You’re saying the information on the parties to this agreement is none of our business — that it’s confidential,” Mr Bean said, calling it “blind arrogance and a disregard, not only to the people of this country but to the watchdogs created to ensure good governance”.

Ms Gordon-Pamplin responded that the Public Access to Information Act allowed for “certain information that is protected from being public”, adding: “That’s not breaking the law.”

Grant Gibbons, the Minister of Economic Development, also protested that aspects of the commercial agreement were allowed under the Act.

Mr Bean responded: “That’s unacceptable, but it’s a reflection of this arrogant, borderline dictatorial Government.”

He also criticised the Government over Craig Cannonier, the Minister of Public Works, revealing the name of a person behind a Pati request.

At the time, Mr Cannonier apologised to Parliament, calling it “an honest mistake”.

Mr Bean noted that the Information Commissioner, Gitanjali Gutierrez, had allowed for the slip, as Pati had only recently come into effect.

“I’d understand if we were talking about an average citizen, but I do not accept that excuse when we’re talking about a minister.”

At one point the clerk to the legislature protested that some of Mr Bean’s remarks went “way outside” the discussion of the Budget, but Mr Bean disagreed, pointing to the published mission statements and department objectives. Closing the debate, Mr Dunkley declared himself angered by “the drivel interspaced with hallucinations, misinformation, threats and fear”, saying he had been disappointed at the level of debate.

The Premier added that he was shocked that Mr Bean would address human rights in the House when he was “on record castigating women in our community”.

“It’s not a surprise, because the Honourable Member had to juggle his front bench and move some Members so close to the door, they are almost out the door.”