Premier Paula Cox has slammed the Opposition for "impugning the integrity" of Government in comments following corruption claims made against former Premier Ewart Brown.Ms Cox stated: "No-one, not one person on the Government benches endorses unlawful actions and it is wrong and unconscionable for the Opposition Leader to seek to impugn the integrity of this Government in that way."Police launched an inquiry after businessman David Bolden stated under oath in Supreme Court last week that Dr Brown tried to get his wife Wanda Henton Brown on the board of a private firm pitching for government business and to get himself a personal stake in the company.Mr Bolden claimed an un-named Government Minister told him the Premier wanted ten percent of his wireless technology company and for Ms Henton Brown to be on the firm's board.Financier Mr Bolden also alleged the former Premier had earlier asked for a 60 percent share of the commission he earned from work on Bermuda's public pension funds.Dr Brown denies the accusations and has described them as "outrageous" and "a total fabrication".Ms Cox said in the immediate aftermath of the allegations becoming public on Tuesday through an exclusive report in this newspaper: "It is important that allegations of this type are investigated by the appropriate authorities to determine if there are any indications of impropriety."Following that, Opposition Leader John Barritt described Mr Bolden's allegations as "extremely serious"."They raise questions about the conduct of the Government of Bermuda that must be answered," he said."The allegations must be subject to an immediate and thorough police investigation. Every reasonable and right-thinking person would expect that."Until the allegations are addressed, Bermuda's international reputation will suffer and we will endure another episode when the integrity of Bermuda's political leaders is open to question."Shadow Attorney General Trevor Moniz added: "These allegations, together with other questions, including matters being investigated by the Auditor General, raise serious questions about possible systemic corruption at the highest levels of the Bermuda Government."Those comments provoked the ire of Ms Cox who told the House of Assembly today: "The new Opposition leader commenting on the allegations a few days later than I as Premier and echoing in large part my view that there should be an investigation is fine."It would have been best left at that. But his attempt to put a sting in the tail re Government does a disservice to the role honourable members should be doing in setting out best practice for Parliament."On some issues one has to put country first and resist the temptation to fire cheap political shots. No-one, not one person on the Government benches endorses unlawful actions and it is wrong and unconscionable for the Opposition Leader to seek to impugn the integrity of this Government in this way."She added: "It is farcical to tell the Bermuda story on the world stage and then to score own goals in this manner. The police are investigating the allegations arising in the Bolden case. Let them get on with doing their job and keep the politics out of it."Once the investigation has concluded, then let the chips fall where they may and then whatever needs to be stated or done can be done."However, pending the outcome of the investigation I will not remain mute to unconscionable utterances directed at this Government."Mr Barritt inquired of Ms Cox: "What is it that I said that prompted her to say I put a sting in the tail of what I thought was a measured statement?"Ms Cox replied: "The Opposition leader is perfectly aware of the statements he made which indicated that the comments and allegations in respect of the Bolden case suggested that the whole Government had an issue with how to behave."Mr Barritt countered: "I beg to differ. Would the Premier not agree that the allegations involved the leader of the Government of Bermuda at the time?"Ms Cox said: "It's clear what the allegations were but you don't impugn the integrity of the entire Government."Mr Barritt then asked the Premier if she agreed there is collective responsibility.She replied: "There could never be collective responsibility when someone commits a malfeasance or a crime."