A Progressive Labour Party leadership contender said last night that an interim injunction was secured to block progress on a membership process said to be contrary to the PLP constitution.

Curtis Dickinson, a former finance minister, insisted the legal action was taken “with great reluctance” and after efforts were made to find a resolution internally.

The PLP said that because the matter was before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

A statement released by Mr Dickinson’s campaign team, understood to be from the leadership contender himself, said: “The constitution of the Progressive Labour Party is the foundation of our party, reflecting the values, principles and democratic traditions that have guided generations of members.

“It must be respected. If those rules are to change, the membership must have a voice and a fair opportunity to participate in that process.

“Today, our attorneys obtained an interim injunction restraining executives of the party from proceeding with a membership process that is contrary to our constitution.

“This action was taken with great reluctance and only after genuine efforts were made to resolve the matter respectfully within the party.

“Those efforts did not produce a resolution, leaving us with no alternative but to seek the court’s guidance.”

The comments came after a Supreme Court summons to seek “urgent interim relief” was filed against Dawn Simmons, the chairwoman of the PLP, and Patricia Basden, the party’s secretary-general.

Mr Dickinson, who is challenging economy and labour minister Jason Hayward next month for the leadership of the ruling party, was named as plaintiff with Shea-tai Maurice Smith, Sheila Mareen Brown, Winifred Rose Stevens and Jay-Lee Maurice Smith.

It came against a backdrop of unease within the ranks of the ruling party over a proposal put forward by David Burt, the PLP leader and Premier, at a party central committee meeting last month that people who publicly campaigned against the party in the past two general elections should be prevented from automatically becoming members.

A separate motion was understood to mean that people who were party members for less than a year would be ineligible to act as delegates at the upcoming conference and leadership election.

“What was agreed was quite simple,” a well-placed PLP source told The Royal Gazette then.

“If someone is going to represent members as a delegate and help select the next leader of the PLP, it is reasonable that they should have been a member of the party for at least a year. New members remain full members of the party.

“It is equally reasonable that applications from people who were actively campaigning against PLP candidates as recently as last year should be reviewed rather than automatically approved. These are sensible safeguards for any political party.”

The statement from Mr Dickinson’s team tonight added that the legal action was “not an attack on our party or its officers”.

It said: “Those named in the action are named solely because of the offices they hold.

“In particular, our party chairwoman, Dawn Simmons, is a lifelong stalwart who has dedicated decades of her life to the PLP and to service in our community. That contribution deserves our respect.

“The PLP has always welcomed new members and new voices. The unprecedented growth we are seeing represents Bermudians who want to participate, contribute and be heard.

“They are welcomed, and every member must be treated fairly and equally under our constitution.

“Our campaign seeks to strengthen the PLP. Our focus remains on the issues.”

A PLP spokeswoman said: “We are aware that legal proceedings have been initiated in relation to an internal party matter.

“As this is now before the courts, it would not be appropriate for the party to comment further at this time.”

Mr Hayward was present in court, along with Zane DeSilva, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Housing and Municipalities, education minister Diallo Rabain, government backbencher Christopher Famous, PLP senator Lauren Hayward Bell, Ms Simmons and paralegal Eron Hill.

A party source said of the legal action: “It clearly has to do with what the party passed at the central committee meeting, which was thought to be unconstitutional.”

• UPDATE: this article has been updated with additional comments

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