Marc Bean has come under fire from his party colleagues for his “wild, psychotic and disrespectful” comments since returning to the political fold after his health scare.

A chain of e-mails leaked to The Royal Gazette shows how MPs Zane DeSilva, Derrick Burgess and Wayne Furbert rounded on the Progressive Labour Party leader after his interview with Ayo Johnson on the Politica website on August 5.

Mr DeSilva claimed that Mr Bean must not have liked the harmony that had been restored since he went on sick leave after suffering a stroke in March, saying he had returned “looking to pick up where he left off” in a bullying and divisive manner.

Mr Furbert noted he was deeply concerned at Mr Bean’s comments in the Politica interview, while Mr Burgess accused the Opposition leader of bragging that he “has the bomb” and that he has made irresponsible allegations about fellow PLP MPs over the past 18 months.

They argued Mr Bean’s actions were destabilising the party when it should be preparing to oust the One Bermuda Alliance from power.

Mr Bean hit back by rebuking Mr Furbert for taking part in an “illegal and disrespectful attempt” to remove him as party leader, and by reminding him that he sits in caucus “at my will and pleasure”.

The e-mail chain — reported verbatim in this article — began at 7.57am on Thursday, with a message from Mr Furbert to colleagues that contained a link to the Politica article.

“Many of you were not aware that our Leader Marc Bean had an Interview with Ayo Johnson,” Mr Furbert wrote.

“As I mentioned yesterday I was deeply concern by some of his comments. I am not able to send you the recording, as AYO has now put security on it.”

Mr Bean responded: “Wayne, let me make myself clear. I will not be entertaining any questions re my interview with Ayo. As a person who participated in an illegal and disrespectful attempt to remove me as Leader in Caucus, you would want to catch yourself, and do it quickly.

“I will not be dragged into any discussion with you or others. I know your intent, so let me know if you intend to disrespect me in the future as you sit in caucus at my will and pleasure.”

Mr DeSilva weighed in by defending Mr Furbert at 6.43am yesterday: “Bro Wayne, I see nothing wrong with the questions you posed and I support them — especially when wild, psychotic and disrespectful statements are directed at not only you but EVERY MP and the Party. RESPECT IS EARNED!

“And Wayne, remember, the only people that serve at a Leaders pleasure are Senators and Shadow Ministers. All other MP’s serve in Caucus at the pleasure of the people that elected them — their constituents!

“MP’s serve under a Leader at OUR pleasure! Ask Dame Jennifer and Patrice Minors — they didn’t and wouldn’t under Dr Brown.”

Mr DeSilva made an apparent reference to Mr Bean’s long-running row with party colleagues, which resulted in seven MPs quitting his Shadow Cabinet last December.

He said Mr Bean was disrespecting the decision of the party’s central committee that had run the rule over events from November 2015, “and will have to answer them”. He said: “The attempt by MB to bully you (as he has tried to do to Caucus and CC over the past couple of years) should be defended rigorously.

“It’s clear his doesn’t like the harmony that has been restored in Caucus during his absence and is looking to pick up where he left off — dividing Caucus and the Party at a time when we should be working to dismantle the OBA Government that is there for the taking. Keep your head up and keep working hard for our people and our Party.”

Mr Burgess e-mailed at 8.24am: “Marc Bean, you have made some serious indictments on members of the PLP in an interview with Ayo Johnson recently.”

Mr Burgess said that, in his Politica article, Mr Bean had: • Urged colleagues not to practise “plunder and cookie jar politics”

• Claimed a group within the party had used the political process to enhance their personal positions and “to the art of plunder”

• Pointed to “political parasites” within the party

• Said businesses could hire “whoever they like, something black Bermudians have to understand”.

Mr Burgess continued: “Mr Bean, your response to MP Wayne Furbert, indicates that you can say what ever you like and will not accept being question on it. The issue of leadership was dealt with by the PLP’s disciplinary committee and you need to get over it. For the wellbeing of the party you must stop making these irresponsible statements/allegations.

“Remember you alone are not the PLP — we need to prepare the party to win the next general election, with you or without you. Let me remind you that over the last 18 months you have made some very serious allegations against members of parliament without any evidence despite you stating that you Marc Bean has the bomb, your words.

“My advice to you is to cease and desist with your irresponsible statements — I repeat, you alone are not the PLP. Derrick.”

The Royal Gazette contacted Mr Bean over the e-mail chain, as well as Mr DeSilva, Mr Burgess and Mr Furbert, but all declined to comment, with Mr Bean saying that it would not be appropriate to comment on caucus matters.