Documentation of Questionalbe transactions Of The ULP

Double Click On The Document To Enlarge.

Written Statement against PM Ralph Gonsalves (Rape charge)

Challenging the Legality of The Commissioner's actions

A Voire Dire challenging legality of the Main Charge in the first instance, all other charges that was derived from the investigation and this trial, COP V/S Allan Palmer.

It is alleged by the Commissioner of Police that he gave me an order not to publish the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) business on the blog Crushing Fools which can be access via the web address http://crushingfools.blogspot.com (which from here will be refer to as the blog.) The first question we must answer before we proceed any further is whether or not the content of the blog can be considered the business of the Bermuda Police Service.

Before we get to that stage we must first clarify and conclude on the following definitions, we must be clear on what is:

• an opinion
  
• A rumor
  
• And what is or considered personal or institution’s business

I will start by defining what an opinion is.

An opinion is a conclusion (which may or may not be a statement of fact) drawn upon base on information obtained via the sensory organs. Examples of there are as follows:

An opinion base on the sense of smell: While I was walking though a neighborhood I detected a strong aroma of cherry. Base on the aroma I conclude that the aroma was as a results of someone making cherry Jam. This conclusion that I came to base on the aroma I detected is an opinion. Now if efforts were made and my conclusion was verified, then my opinion is now a statement of fact. If it was proven that another source was responsible for the aroma, then my opinion still remains an opinion although an error. It is also important to note that opinions are not set in stone; they can change when more information is received by the sensory receptors.

• Opinion formulated base on the sense sight: We can also come to a conclusion based by observing a persons behavior, an action, or a phenomenon.
  
• An opinion bases on the sense of hearing: We can formulate an opinion base on a story, a rumor or a declaration of another that we were privilege to have heard. I can go on but I believe that these examples will be sufficient for you to get a clear understanding.
  

A rumor:

A rumor is an unverified story that is being passed around as a fact. It is also important to note that an individual can formulate an opinion base on a rumor also. Personal and institutional Business: This is the official business of a person or an institution; this business can be confidential or otherwise. And such must be obtained by being in a position of trust. This can be from obtaining that information from the person or from a key person in that institution, or from being put in a place where one can access such information.

It is important to understand that no one who was trusted with confidential or other information that can be considered the business of an individual or an institution do not have the rights to speak of such publicly, or to publish or to cause part or all of that information to be published. It is also important to note that to do the foregoing without the permission of the owner of the information may not be unlawful or illegal but it may be unethical.

Conclusion:

Having examined the foregoing definitions and having examined the content of the blog; you must conclude that the content of the blog cannot be considered the business of the BPS. All of the information that is posted on the blog is my business and my opinion. The said information is my business as it relates to the unfair or unjust treatment that I received at the hands of key personnel in the Bermuda Police Service.

My experience is my business to speak about publicly, to publish or to cause to be published. It is unfortunate that the Bermuda Police Service have been administering treatment to me, that if make public can/will reflect negatively on the institution and its management. I can understand the effort of the BPS is making to keep such negative occurrence from the public’s attention, but at what cost.

Now that I have bring to your attention a comprehensive level of clarity by explaining the facts as it relates to the category under which the post on the blog falls, I know that you can see the problem we are faced with as it relates to the lawfulness or the legality of the main charge from which all the other charges was derived. An understanding which I know the Commissioner of

Police, his advisers and the investigators had all along. Yet they oppressively caused my stress and frustration by causing my suspension, ordering an investigation, charging me and now causing my illegal prosecution.

I am forced to ask the following questions; was it the intention of the Commissioner of Police to prevent me from speaking of the Bermuda Police Service business or was it his intention to prevent me from discussing my business as it relates to my treatment in the Bermuda Police Service and my opinion publicly.

I therefore submit to you that I have never contravened any lawful order the Commissioner of Police allegedly give to me in writing or the spoken words.

Although I have already proved the illegality of the root charge, I will go a step further in my effort to clarify any question.

First of all I am going to establish the following as it relates to the Commissioner of Police, as it relates to his responsibility of administrating the affairs of the Bermuda Police Service.

1. Does the Commissioner of Police possess ultimate/unlimited powers?
   
2. What are the limits of his powers as it relates to giving instruction?
   
3. Can the commissioner of Police give an unlawful instruction?
   
4. And if an unlawful instruction is given, does anyone under his supervision have the right to disobey any such order or instruction?
   

According to the laws of Bermuda which includes the Bermuda Constitution, The Police Act 1974, and even the police disciplinary code (the Police Disciplinary Code is not law) has lay down perimeter of the powers of the Commissioner of Police. These laws are available to the public at the national library or via the Internet.

Can the Commissioner of Police give an unlawful order?

According to section 6 of the Police Act 1974 which states:

Members of the Service to obey lawful orders.
6 Every member of the Service shall obey all lawful orders of his superior officers and Justices of the Peace whether given verbally or in writing and shall obey and conform to all police regulations, orders and instructions made under this Act.

We must bear in mind that this section did not state that members of the Service shall obey all orders. It clearly states that members of the service hall obey all lawful orders. This in it self tells you that it is not all orders that my come down from the Commissioner of Police may be lawful. And if you must obey all lawful order then you reserve the rights to disobey or refrain from complying with any unlawful order.

Let us say for example (in an extreme case) the commissioner orders one of his men to shoot an unarmed man who was no threat to him (the Commissioner of Police) or any member of the community, but such order were given because of some grievance the commissioner may have with that individual; and let us say for example that officer shoot the individual who die as a result of a gun shot wound. The question we all are forced to answer is, who will be charged for the murder; the Commissioner of Police or the officer who is inferior in rank to the Commissioner of Police who aim/point the gun at the victim and squeeze the trigger which resulted in the death of the individual? It is obvious that the officer who took the action on behalf of the commissioner will be charged and convicted.

This is so because the junior officer is only obligated to follow lawful order given to him by his seniors. The junior officer cannot even use duress as a defense. Although in the junior officer’s mind his respect for or fear of the Commissioner’s rank, his position, his authority and his confidence in the commissioner, may very well put the Junior officer under such mental stress that he felt he must comply with the unlawful instruction of the commission and thus the Commissioner of Police may have technically put that junior officer under duress, but under these circumstances duress cannot/will not be considered a legal or lawful defense.

The order (s) from the commissioner do not have to be so outrageous, or one that can merit a murder conviction or a lengthy term of imprisonment, it may be a simple instruction that may not have any serious consequence, no junior officer is obligated to follow any unlawful instruction, it must be made clear that it is the personal choice of the junior officer if he so wishes to comply with such order. It must also be made absolutely clear and also be known that the junior officer will be solely responsible for such action and any consequence of such action if he knows that such order was unlawful.

What will be unfortunate for that officer is the fact that the law is clear. Officers are to comply with the lawful orders of his seniors. No officer is obligated to comply with any unlawful instruction of his seniors.

The Police Act 1974 made of mentioned to categories in this section it speak of “Superior officers” (Superior in this case refers to rank, not management or policing ability) and the “Justice of the Peace.” In this case Justice of the Peace refers to the honorary post that is given to outstanding, respected and reputable members of the community who has the legislated powers of a magistrate as well as the professional (trained lawyers) magistrates; all of whom the commissioner of police is obligated to take orders or instruction form.

Base on the privileges the Bermuda Constitution give to me. And you notice I use the word privilege, that is because the rights as is outlined in the Bermuda constitution are conditional that it does not cause any serious unrest with in the state, (spreading a falsehood that cause mass panic in the community etc.) in other words in the interests of defense, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; and as long as one whilst in the exercise of his rights civil, constitutional rights, or human rights he does not impede the rights of others.

Let us once again examine my rights as provided for me under the constitution of Bermuda, as it relates to my rights to form hold and express my opinion freely.

Chapter 1 of schedule two of the order of the constitution of Bermuda, section 1, subsection, (b) and section 9 subsection 1 clearly states:

Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual

1. Whereas every person in Bermuda is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, has the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, color, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely:

(b) Freedom of conscience, of expression etc.

Protection of freedom of expression
9 (1) Except with his consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, and for the purposes of this section the said freedom includes freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with his correspondence.

This piece of the Supreme law is written in clear, simple understandable language that even the simplest of mind could grasp and understand its meaning and therefore needs no further explanation.

We have examined the powers of the Commissioner of Police under the Police regulation now let us look at the powers of the Commissioner of Police under the Constitution of Bermuda the supreme law in the island of Bermuda: which is to administer the affairs of the Service according to the stipulations laid out in the Police Act 1974 which give him the power to make policies and rules which will see the efficient and effective running of the Service. But such policies and rules cannot supersede the Police Act or the Constitution of Bermuda. In other words the Commissioner of Police cannot grant to himself unlimited powers.

The Duty of Public officer: According to the Bermuda Constitution as it relates to his/her freedom of expression also has its restrictions and lawful limitations. The lawful imposed restrictions on public officers is unlawful if the expression of the public officer can be deemed to be reasonable justifiable in a democratic society.

If it was determined that a public officer is deemed to be acting in a manner that was not considered reasonable in a democratic society, then the officer must be informed in writing and asked to desist from the action (s). If not he or she must be left alone to excise his constitutional privilege without interference.

I submit to you that my actions as it relates to the posting of my business and opinion on the blog, and as it relates to the advertisement on the rear of my car was not unlawful and did not violate any law whether criminal or common law, and neither did my action violate any ones right or imposed on any one civil liberty or freedom.

Now I have brought sufficient evidence to prove that the order as it pertain to me as a policing operating and posting of information on the blog Crushing Fools of which I am the professed administrator was unlawful; even though the posting of some of the articles on the said blog may be different to the opinion of that of Commissioner of Police and a few of his senior officers. The order which he gave was indeed unlawful as the main intent was to censorship. And therefore was an imposition of my under mentioned and protected rights and I have no obligation to comply with any such order.

This brings me to a very important section of the constitution, as outlined in Chapter 1 section 3 subsection (1) which deals with the protection from inhuman treatment which states:

Protection from inhuman treatment
3 (1) No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

This is what is presently happening to me, I was forced to work under and in a very hostile environment and because I refused to comply with unlawful instructions I am punished, (suspended) and have unlawful prosecution be brought against me.

Even the police Disciplinary Code 1975 section 2 subsection (b) (c) (d) and (f) speak of oppressive conduct.

(b) An officer may be guilty of oppressive conduct: if a police officer is guilty of oppressive or tyrannical conduct towards an inferior in rank or

c) If willfully or negligently make a false complaint or statement against any other officer.

I have a case of oppressive conduct against several member of the Bermuda Police Service that used their position and authority to aid in my unlawful suspension.

Allan H. F. Palmer

Reply To Acting Commissioner Of Police: Bryan Bell

...........................................................................................................Form Pol A45/M


..................................Bermuda......................Police

To: Commissioner of Police........................................Div/Dept:Operational Policing

From: Allan H. F. Palmer ...............................................Date: Thursday 5th May 2008

Subject: Violation of the rights of Allan H. F. Palmer

Sir,
My name is Allan Palmer PC 2209 I am currently on suspension from the Bermuda Police Service, my last posting was at the Hamilton Police Station then I was attached to Community Policing Division.

In relation to the Addendum to Notice of Suspension from Duty dated 24th January 2008, (which will be here after be referred to as the Addendum) that was served on me by Chief Inspector James Howard on Thursday 1st May 2008. The addendum had a forwarding address and the name of B. Bell Acting Deputy Commissioner. So I am of the understanding that this document was from you Mr. B. Bell acting in the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Bermuda Police Service.

I will attempt to clarify any misconception that you may have, as it relates to previous instruction given by the commissioner of Police George Jackson and the legality of the instruction that was outlined in the addendum, which was served on me by Chief inspector James Howard as was instructed by you in your capacity of Acting Deputy Commissioner. At this stage I will not deal with Paragraph two of the addendum as it will only be a regurgitation of a matter I have addressed on several occasions.

First let us address the matter of attempted censorship as it relates to your effort to violate my protected rights under the constitution of Bermuda. Chapter 1 sec.1 and subsection (b) of the Constitution of Bermuda that deal with the fundamental fights and freedom of the individual which clearly states:

Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual
1 Whereas every person in Bermuda is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, has the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, color, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely:

(b) Freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association.

And also section 9 (1) which deals with the freedom of expression without interference to receive and impart (share) ideas and information and my freedom from interference with my correspondence, that is clearly outlined below under the heading “Protection of freedom of expression.

Protection of freedom of expression:
9 (1) Except with his consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, and for the purposes of this section the said freedom includes freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with his correspondence.

I do not have to explain to you the uninterrupted rights that are awarded to me by the constitution of Bermuda, rights which you are seeking to use your office of Acting Deputy Commission and the authority of the office to deprive me of. I have so concluded base on the content and demands outlined in the addendum. Your action can be considered a misuse of a public office and authority. Just in case you were not aware of the lawful facts I have outlined above, I will take this opportunity to bring this piece of information to your attention. The constitution of Bermuda takes president and is supreme to every act or law that is enforced in this blessed Country. Bermuda’s constitution is the supreme law.

In relation to the bringing to light of my constitutional rights as is outlined above, I will declare to you that all order you have given to me in the Addendum is in direct contravention of my constitutional rights as provided for by the constitution of Bermuda, thus making your orders unlawful. It is important to note and for your understanding that I have never disobey a lawful instruction in my policing career, in the same breath I do not have a problem ignoring an order that I can prove to be unlawful or illegal if such an order is not in the public’s interest.

In relation to you ordering me to remove from public view an advertisement posted on the rear wind screen of my ‘private motorcar,’ I am forced to asked you under which authority or where in the laws of Bermuda or which includes the police regulation and or in the policies of the Bermuda Police Service is it illegal or unlawful for any member of the Bermuda Police Service to advertise a commodity, service, publication etc. The blog or website Crushing fools is a public medium, and I hold the right to provide the public with information as to the means of accessing the said blog/website. After all it is the public rights to use or not to use the information provided to them, it is also the choice of the public to access or not to access the blog/website.

I must also inform you that information place on this blog/website can only be libelous and or slanderous if they can be proven to be so. I cannot see why my factual writing can cause you and the other members of the Bermuda Police Service such grief. I know that at times the truth can be embarrassing but like every one else, adults must learn to deal with the truth. It is what adults do. Trying to hide the truth is not going to change its status.

It is with a sense of shame and disappointment that your action as outlined by you in the Addendum only seeks to remind me of a historical fact that relates to the treatment mated out by your kind to my people during slavery. Where your fore parents took advantage of the ignorance of my people and use such ignorance as leverage in their prosecution, victimization, exploitation, and to aid in depriving them of their basic human, civil and other rights. It also brought to mind the inhumane treatment that black people suffered in that era. I am assuring you that I will not be place in a position where I become a victim in the same manner as my fore parents. I t is important that you understand that I will not be intimidated by you, neither will I be control by fear, nor my actions or vocal expressions will be govern by ignorance.

Let me also take this opportunity to implore you to read this document with the utmost care and seriousness I also hope that you will take the opportunity to review the ordered you give to me in the addendum. Orders which you give in your capacity and with the authority of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Bermuda Police Service and orders which you expect me to comply with, orders which is unlawful. I will also request that you pay particular attention to the various institution to which I have cc this document.
I believed that you were misled in your briefing on this matter, and you actions were as the results of misinformation fed to you by men with hidden agendas. I hope that you have the good judgment to see the folly of your Addendum and immediately withdrew the same. After all it takes a big man (mentally) to see and admit that he was wrong.

In defense of my constitutional, civil rights and freedom

Sign Allan Palmer
cc: Bermuda Police Association (executive)
Legal counsel (for Allan H.F. Palmer)
Bermuda Human Rights Association
Ms. D De Caster (Police Welfare officer)

Letter To Deputy Commissioner Carlton Adams Re: Suspension

12 Headquarters Hill
Prospect
Devonshire
Bermuda


To:
The Deputy Commissioner of Police
10 Head Quarters Hill
Prospect
Devonshire
Bermuda

6th February 2008

Dear Sir,

It is with a sense of respect for your integrity and value of the responsibility of your office as Deputy Commissioner of Police and disciplinary officer of the Bermuda Police Service that I take this opportunity to appeal to your sense of justice. As you know that on the 24th Of January 2008, I was suspended by you, pending the outcome of an investigation as to whether or not my posting on the blog http://Crushingfools.bolgspot.com contravened any section of the Police Regulation.

I know that such investigation should not take a long period, as a quick review of the police regulation and the content of the post on the blog should have since pointed out any such discrepancies. I have taken timeout to also review the fact in the investigation, and I have concluded that my action had not contravened the police regulation, as it outlined. I am also convinced that your findings have also revealed the same conclusion as my findings.

I was shocked when I was contacted by Chief Inspector Howard, who served me with what was, a further or new suspension document, disguised as an addendum; this new suspension document; outlining new reasons for my suspension. I can assure you, that the new information that seeks to justify my suspension; is false and misleading. I am attaching copies of the said documents which include:

• The new suspension document.
• The new second schedule.
• And the caution statement (that was recorded by noted serious crime investigator Mark Clark.)
  
  

It is hard to understand, why, men in responsible position will compromise their integrity to justify such an insignificant point. I was of the misguided opinion, that one may be suspended only after an investigation had discovered that the individual (s) in question may have some charge to answer. And it is only if any such charges after they were laid -against the persons conduct or miss-conduct, had some form of criminal connotation attached to them; then and only then, that a suspension will be “considered.”

We can review the situation of Dennis Archer, (who Ideally was a Barbadian) who had criminal allegation made against him for which he was eventually convicted, yet he was never dealt with in such a cruel manner as I am now being dealt with. Even the PASE regulation give the criminal the privilege of having his matter looked into first to verify if the allegation which was brought against him has some merit to them. Yet I, who have not committed any crime, and for whom trivial and ungrounded allegations had been made against, am being treated like a criminal. The institution that I have served loyally, have seen it fit to do all in its power to cause my suspension. they have also brought in Inspector mark Clark who is know for investigating serious criminal offenses to investigate a trivial fabricated matter; all because someone is of the opinion that I should not be allowed to express myself freely using words. This whole situation is not only sad it is pathetic.

I must also inform you that my purpose for coming to Bermuda was not to cheat the Bermudian community, and to receive a salary without earning it. I can assure you that I am not a dishonest person, and as I am not expecting anything form the people of Bermuda for nothing, I am not asking any special favors from anyone. But I am asking you to find the strength and use your integrity to facilitate the process and let justice be done.

I will like to make it clear, that I am a responsible adult and if I am guilty of an offence I am willing to suffer such consequence thereof like a man. But if I am not guilty of an offence, I should be allowed to be treated with the common decency and respect that I deserved.

I know that in your honesty and forthrightness you are aware of the injustice that is being done to me, as it relates to this matter. I hope that you will not sit their and look at a great miscarriage of justice, but you will be a champion for truth, justice and honesty and use your office and take a stand for the same. We cannot afford to have an institution that has one system of justice for one set of people and another system of justice for another set. We all have and can use the power of one opposing voice.

It is in service to Humanity and with a call for justice that I plead.

Signed: __________________________________

Allan H. F Palmer

Bcc: To the Commissioner of Police (George Jackson)
The Police welfare officer (Mrs. De Costar)

Our Action Cause Him Shame

Last night (Thursday 6th November2008) I went to bed with a popular Seventh Day Adventist (S.D.A) song in my head, it is the song "Holy, holy is what the angel said" this song it hymn number 425 in the Seventh Day Adventist hymnal. then I woke up on Friday 7th November 2008 and within 20 minutes I wrote the words you will find below.

The words below can be sung to the tune for the same song that can be found in the S.D.A hymnal; number 425. It gives the picture of how our rebellion from God affect him and the heavenly host.

I am not a holy angel, but I know just how they feel,

when they witness my rebellion from the God who rescued me,
Fro God charted my salvation, and he sacrifices his son,

it was done because he loves me, and he wants me for his own.

Shame, shame; shame, shame; was what God’s Angels said,

oh my behavior seems to make the holy host of heaven fled,
For when they witness my betrayal, they will spread their wings,

for angels also feel the pain that my betrayal brings.

Oh just how much my God love me, I will never, never know;

for before the worlds existence, Salvations plans my father knew.
He had planned to send a savior, Jesus Christ his only son,

who will fight for my redemption and the bottle he has won.

Shame, shame; shame, shame; is what the angel see,

each time they cast their holy eyes and take a glimpse of me.
Each time they think of rebellion, they hang their head in shame,

for angels also feels the pain that my backsliding brings.

Oh I know that Jesus loves me, more than anyone else could,

for he gave his life to save me when my value was no good,
And although I don’t deserve it, he has mercies to forgive,

and if ever I am faithful, forever more with him I will live.

Shame, shame, shame, shame is what the angel feel,

for when I go against God’s words it makes God’s angels squeal.
Each time they sees my insurrection they will fold their wings,

for Angels always sees the pain that my deceit brings him.

There is oh such jubilation, when I go against God’s words;

there is exciting celebration with the rings of Satan’s cords.
For it is his heart’s desire that we break the heart of God’s,

and each time we betray our savior, he is there to prove our worth.

Shame, shame; shame, shame; is what the Angel say,

it seems like mankind take for naught the price their savior paid,
For Jesus give his life to save us, yet we defile his name,

each time I disobey Gods words, I cause my saviors pain.

Don't give up, Anguillan blogger tells local writers

The decision by a number of notable social commentary bloggers in Bermuda to step away from the online world through disillusionment and a questioning of whether their efforts make a difference has reverberated elsewhere in the region.

The online community of Anguilla, in the British West Indies, is encouraging one of its most active bloggers not to follow the decision of Bermuda bloggers Limey in Bermuda (Phillip Wells) and 21 Square (Dennis Pitcher) who have recently pulled back from blogging.

The worth of blogs as a place where the community can discuss and debate what is happening around them — particularly in the areas of Government and politics — has been reinforced by online writers in Anguilla who follow the musings of lawyer Don Mitchell, CBE, moderator of the Corruption-free Anguilla blog.

They have encouraged him not to follow the decision taken by the high-profile Bermuda bloggers.

"Do bloggers really make any useful contribution? I am not the only one who has been asking myself this question. Recent developments with bloggers in Bermuda show that others are asking themselves the same thing," wrote Mr. Mitchell.

In his own reflection on what has happened in Bermuda, Mr. Mitchell, QC, noted also that a new Bermuda blog started last December by Policeman Allan Palmer, called Crushing Fools, saw only one post by the officer who Mr. Mitchell knew when he served in St. Vincent.

"He challenged his readers to take back the island from the criminals on the street. He called on the community to be "courageous" and to unite against violence and crime. He came in for high praise in the media. After his first article, he published nothing more. He loves writing. He would not have stopped without pressure. I suspect he was shut down by his superiors, never mind he was asking the public to cooperate with their police."

Mr. Mitchell, who is a native of the Caribbean and has lived in Anguilla since 1976, mentioned the re-election of the PLP as Government despite "revelations of shenanigans" within Government "frequently published prior to the election in the courageous mainstream press such as The Royal Gazette."

He told his readers that Bermuda's Mr. Pitcher, on his blog 21 Square, had received personal attacks that left him "tired, saddened and disillusioned" concluding that "Government representatives and their supporters prefer to shoot the messenger rather than discuss the message".

The retired lawyer said Limey in Bermuda's Mr. Wells had given detailed reasons why he was closing his blog, believing that continuing to criticise Government made things worse and attracted racially-intoned attacks, whether you were a blogger, a journalist or a member of the political opposition.

In considering the worth of blogging, Mr. Mitchell said it was misguided to think a blog could make a difference other than offer a place for alternative perspective and ideas.

He told The Royal Gazette he started blogging just over a year ago, explaining: "I was fed up with the silence in the community in the face of what seemed like obvious impending doom."

But he added: "I recognise blogging is a complete waste of time if the blogger intends it to achieve anything positive. It is a private mediation done in public. It is not a pulpit designed to influence and change people's behaviour. Blogging is most fun when the blogger does not care if a soul in the world agrees with what is written."

And on his blog he said:"After all, no politician is lying awake at night worrying about what is published about him on a blog."

In response, readers of the blog pointed to the difference between Bermuda and Anguilla — particularly in terms of mainstream media.

One said: "In Bermuda they have three real newspapers, one of them a daily. They don't hesitate to criticise the Premier and his friends. Lord knows what outrageous things Dr. Brown would do if he didn't have to think 'How is this going to look in the Gazette tomorrow?'" and opinioned that as Anguilla "doesn't have a real newspaper" or a "real opposition", Mr. Mitchell's was serving a needed role.