A forum hosted by a candidate contesting the leadership of the Progressive Labour Party was only open to party members.

A statement from the team of Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, said the event at Francis Patton Primary on Tuesday was made by a branch request.

“This was not a public meeting and therefore admittance was restricted to PLP members only,” the statement read. “This is not abnormal for any political party or private organisation.”

It followed an op-ed by Clifton Lambert, a One Bermuda Alliance candidate at the last General Election, that he was denied entry.

Mr Hayward’s team said the invitation for the meeting clearly stated it was for members of the Hamilton Parish and Smith’s branches of the PLP.

It said Mr Lambert was afforded the opportunity to join the PLP and attend, but chose not to do so.

Mr Lambert said in the op-ed that he showed up curious about Mr Hayward’s vision.

He said on arrival, a member of Mr Hayward’s team approached him and said the meeting was only open to PLP members.

The senior said he was offered an opportunity to pay a fee to join the party but he declined.

Mr Lambert said he recently attended an event hosted by Curtis Dickinson, a government MP who is also contesting the leadership of the PLP, and was allowed entry without issue.

Mr Hayward’s team called the comparison by Mr Lambert of his attendance to both events “unfair”.

It said Mr Hayward would host meetings with the party’s Paget and Warwick branch chairs, branch executives, members and prospective members on July 20 at 6pm at the Warwick Workmen’s Club.

“Likewise, we will have other events that will specifically be open to the public,” the team added.