Dale Butler has escaped with his reputation intact by quitting Premier Ewart Brown's Cabinet immediately after Government survived a no-confidence vote, former Premier Alex Scott said yesterday.

Mr. Butler has been saluted by Progressive Labour Party MPs, party members and the general public after resigning in dismay at the Premier's secretive Guantánamo Four actions, Mr. Scott told The Royal Gazette.

During a heated 14-hour House of Assembly session on Friday and Saturday, the Culture Minister led the demands for Dr. Brown to apologise for the move which has infuriated his PLP colleagues.

The Premier obliged — but his apology came in a speech angrily blaming criticism on the United Bermuda Party and this newspaper, while condemning those who protested against him last week.

Minutes later, Mr. Butler resigned, telling this newspaper: "I appreciate the apology at the end but it was not a unifying speech."

Yesterday, Mr. Scott said: "I take note of Mr. Butler's comment and I want to publicly congratulate Mr. Butler for what was a very significant and courageous stance. It served the country well.

"Mr. Butler has been left far richer with his reputation intact with what he did on Saturday morning.

"I have heard a lot of individuals who have saluted and congratulated him, and reported their support for him. MPs, people within the party and people from the wider community. That would be valuable political currency for him.

"I think he realised that he has a valuable contribution to make to the country. I know he didn't take the decision lightly. Under the Westminster system, if you feel strongly about an issue that your Cabinet colleagues or the Premier is engaged in, that you feel you can't endorse, you have to make that kind of move.

"I don't think parliamentarians of the PLP think Mr. Butler's career is going to end. There's going to be many opportunities for Mr. Butler. I should think he's enhanced his opportunity to serve in the future."

The quickest route back for Mr. Butler would be if a special delegates' conference was called to try to oust the Premier this summer.

Deputy Premier Paula Cox, who told the House the Premier had taken a "dramatic interpretation of his powers", voted against the motion and said a special delegates' conference would be a more appropriate way of challenging Dr. Brown's leadership.

Twelve of the PLP's 36 branches would need to want a change of leader to force such a conference.

Yesterday, PLP chairman David Burt did not respond when asked whether PLP branches had indicated they want a leadership contest or retained full support for the Premier.

The motion lost by 22 votes to 11 — with both parties under a three line whip — following a debate in which Dr. Brown repeatedly came under fire for jeopardising Bermuda's security and lacking accountability, while numerous issues relating to his leadership were also attacked.

He received support from front and backbenchers and Darius Tucker of the Opposition, while Independent MP Wayne Furbert voted in the PLP's favour, saying he forgave Dr. Brown.

UBP leader Kim Swan tabled the motion after the Premier brought four Gitmo detainees to Bermuda without permission from the Governor or the UK, and without consulting any of his Cabinet except Immigration Minister Sen. David Burch.

Dr. Brown has said it was an immigration issue and therefore under Government's remit, but the Governor says that is not the case and it was a matter for Britain to decide.

The UBP failed to get any of the five PLP votes it needed to pass the motion — while Mr. Tucker went absent and Shadow Justice Minister Mark Pettingill abstained.

Mr. Scott said he knew he would be going against the motion when Speaker Stanley Lowe refused to change its wording so that people could vote against the Premier, but not the Government.

"The Speaker's ruling played a very significant role," he said. "I don't think I'm telling tales out of school when I say both parties were under the three line whip, which is not to be taken lightly. If you break it you can be expelled from the party.

"While I have not ever been moved by the consequences of voting with my conscience, I'm equally mindful of the significance of the party and its whole affairs and the Government and its responsibilities. One shouldn't take those lightly.

"I think it was an important and worthwhile exercise. When we look at the overall picture it will serve Bermuda well. This was one very crucial parliamentary event.

"Parliamentary politicians made their views known and suggested ways forward."

Dr. Brown refused to comment when asked about Mr. Butler's resignation and remark that his speech was not unifying.

He also declined to say how he now feels about his own position as leader.