Veteran MP Walter Lister last night withdrew his support for the Public Account Committee to open its meetings to the public.

Committee member Mr. Lister announced he now wants to continue holding meetings in secret because he is not sure why people are pushing for them to be opened up — and fears there may be an "ulterior motive".

It marks a U-turn from the Progressive Labour Party backbencher who a few weeks ago said letting the public attend would be a healthy move and a broadening of Bermuda's democracy.

Speaking in a debate on the PAC's latest report, Mr. Lister told the House of Assembly: "This group here is pushing very much to have the committee open.

"I was once leaning that way myself, but I have temporarily suspended that idea because I'm not sure what the push is about.

"Because people push so hard for it, it makes you feel there's some ulterior motive. At the end of the day, the findings come out so it's not like we are hiding anything from anybody."

He then accused United Bermuda Party MPs of leaking information to the press, adding: "We cannot adjust the rules because some of the Opposition can't follow the rules now."

Following an objection from Shadow Works Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin who insisted she was not a leaker, Mr. Lister replied: "I never accused her of leaking, but she probably was.

"I don't see any reason why people can't honour and respect the rules of this House. I see no reason to change it. Until they learn to understand the reasons they won't be changed, I can assure you."

Mr. Lister then referred to the group as the "Private Affairs Committee", prompting laughter from the Opposition who pointed out that by definition it is not about private affairs.

He added: "It's a time-honoured tradition and it works well. Those people asking for change had 30 years to chance it and they didn't because they loved it. I love it as well."

The Royal Gazette's A Right to Know: Giving People Power campaign is calling for a freedom of information law to be introduced swiftly in Bermuda and for parliamentary committees, particularly the PAC, to open up. Public accounts committees around the world are viewed as essential for ensuring accountability in government financial operations and most meet in public in democracies.

In February last year, Parliament's Rules and Privileges committee began a review of the rules governing the legislature, including whether or not committees should open up. It has not yet reached a decision.

Speaking to this newspaper in January, Mr. Lister said he was certain the PAC would soon open its doors.

He said at that time: "We are concerned about it and we, the Government of the day, have always felt that opening it up to the public is always a healthy thing.

"It's only human rights, only natural, to give people an opportunity to see what goes on in these committees. This would be a broadening of democracy here.

"The important thing is that we believe in open committees and we have taken the opportunity to start up a committee to look at the rules in Parliament. They are looking at it so we can make all those policies, so we have open door policies. I suspect this will come about in a very short period of time."

Referring to this newspaper's campaign, he said: "I think they have a right to know. I share their concern. I'm not opposed to committees being opened up."

Challenged about his U-turn yesterday by Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons, Mr. Lister said: "I have rescinded that thought because of the actions of the Opposition."

Dr. Gibbons replied: "All I can say is: go figure," adding that the Americans would use the term "flip-flop".

Dr. Gibbons, a former PAC chairman, was one of a number of UBP MPs to speak on a motion about its latest report, which raised concerns about excessive delays completing accounts by Government bodies and more than $20 million in unapproved spending in 2005/06.

In her official response, Finance Minister Paula Cox had described the report as an historical document, as Government had already taken action to address weaknesses and improve financial controls.

Yesterday, Dr. Gibbons said it was only an historical document because the meetings are held privately, meaning the public don't find out about what happened until much later.

He described many of its findings as "deja-vu all over again", including unaddressed audit recommendations and staff under stress.

PAC chairman Bob Richards called for the public to be given access to the accounts of the PAC.

His deputy Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin, who was chair when the report was made, praised Ms Cox for a rapid response, which came within a couple of days of the report being filed.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin complained about the impact of employers not making their pension contributions, which she said leaves seniors out of pocket and is "tantamount to theft".

She said she was pleased aggressive efforts were now being made to collect payroll tax and land tax.

And she said there was merit in the amnesty for delinquent taxpayers — but warned there may be bad blood depending on who benefits from the waiving of penalties.