Premier Craig Cannonier is suing Opposition leader Marc Bean and Shadow Finance Minister David Burt for slander in view of their “reckless allegations” about him.

Mr Cannonier announced the decision at a press conference yesterday, before walking out of the Cabinet Office and refusing to answer any questions from the media.

Members of his Cabinet and Government followed closely behind, also rejecting requests for comment.

Mr Bean and Mr Burt made separate allegations of corruption against the Premier in connection with Government’s plans to introduce casino gambling during Friday night’s House of Assembly session. They have since repeated the claims in the broadcast media.

Mr Cannonier said yesterday that since then the Island had “witnessed a firestorm of headlines fuelled by profoundly distorted claims and inflammatory comments”.

He told journalists: “You’ve had much to keep you busy recently, with the number of allegations being hurled at my colleagues and me, allegations which I have already condemned unequivocally as completely untrue.”

The Premier said the impact of the attacks was “undermining the national effort Bermuda needs to solve the big problems that confront all of us”.

He added: “While it has been troubling for us as individuals, what has been more alarming to me as your Premier is the potential damage to the Island’s reputation, which is something that must be preserved and strengthened.

“Bermuda, we are in a constant battle for survival with competing jurisdictions who are vying for the same investment that we need, but we are now being challenged to wage war amongst ourselves because of a series of orchestrated political attacks.

“As your Premier, I will not allow the country to be dragged any further into the politics of division and destruction, because it threatens the Island’s integrity and our economic recovery. This is not a game. There is too much at stake.

“My number one priority as Premier of Bermuda is to grow confidence in the Island — confidence that brings with it the investment necessary to create the jobs you deserve.

“I do this on behalf of all Bermudians … for those who voted for me and for those who did not.

“Bermuda, you know who I am. You know my faith in the Lord. You know my family. You know Craig Cannonier. I urge you to reason with yourself and do not let the headlines and allegations change what you know.”

The One Bermuda Alliance leader said headlines should be focusing on positive news, including a falling crime rate, rising employment, a new training initiative agreed with the Indian Government and the largest number of new company incorporations since 2008.

“We are working hard and will not be distracted from our goals to grow jobs and opportunity, reduce crime and make Bermuda more affordable,” he said.

“I am anxious to get on with this important work but we can’t do it without you.

“We need everyone working together to move us in the right direction toward a Bermuda that works better for everyone.”

Mr Cannonier added: “Where we are right now is not good for any of us. It can’t be good for the families of the Opposition leader or that of his Shadow Finance Minister.

“It certainly is not good for my family. And now, concerning the recent accusations. I had hoped it would not come to this but I will close by making the following statement.

“In view of the reckless allegations that have been made by the Opposition leader and the Shadow Finance Minister, which I view to be extremely dangerous and potentially damaging to the country, I see no other option but to enforce my legal rights against both men and to seek full damages through the courts for slander. As this is now a legal matter, I have no further comment.”

Although the Premier did not entertain questions from the media after delivering his statement, his spokesman did later respond to e-mailed questions from The Royal Gazette.

The spokesman explained that the legal action was being pursued by Government rather than Mr Cannonier as a private individual because the allegations were made against him in his capacity as Premier.

The spokesman added that Mr Burt had already received his writ, while Mr Bean was expected to be given his “soon”.

The spokesman declined to answer further questions from this newspaper, adding: “As explained in the Premier’s statement, the matter is now in the hands of lawyers and he has no comment.”

Yesterday The Royal Gazette reported that Mr Burt had been sent a “cease and desist” letter about his claims by lawyers representing the Premier.

The PLP MP said he wouldn’t be silenced and welcomed a lawsuit.

Other politicians on both sides of the fence commented on the ongoing “firestorm” yesterday.

Senator Diallo Rabain said recent events — including the recording by Government MP Nandi Outerbridge of a conversation she had with Mr Bean last summer — “definitely brought a sense of mistrust that was never explicitly there before”.

He added: “That type of behaviour is deplorable. That type of behaviour is inexcusable. Has it brought both sides of the House into disrepute? No, I don’t think it has.

“I think it’s brought the One Bermuda Alliance into disrepute, but the Progressive Labour Party has stood firm for the people of Bermuda at all times, and these guys have done questionable things that really, once you look at them for what they really are, they don’t stand the smell test, at all.”

OBA senator Jeff Baron asked: “Is Bermuda better off because of the political confrontations we’ve had recently? I would submit to you that we are not.

“So as we have these wasteful exchanges in front of us, we must see the horizon beyond them — a Bermuda that’s stronger economically, an island where people are earning a living wage, where children can get a great education even if their parents aren’t rich.

“Where men can travel across parish boundaries to visit relatives without fear of being shot. We have a very full, very daunting basket of challenges here in Bermuda. We cannot afford to take our eyes off of these issues.

“Doing so is detrimental to Bermuda. Can we work swiftly to address this discord? Absolutely? Will we? The public is demanding it — therefore we must. I’m ready to work with anyone anywhere to get the work done.”