Dale Butler resigned as Culture Minister immediately after Premier Dr. Ewart Brown's Government survived a motion of no confidence.

Asked about a rumour that he had quit minutes after the motion lost by 22 votes to 11, Mr. Butler, a Cabinet Minister for six years, told The Royal Gazette in an e-mail: "I did. That is correct. I could not see the PLP fail.

"I appreciate the Premier's apology at the end but it was not a unifying speech. I have nothing further to say. The Govt. will go on."

During a 14-hour House of Assembly debate, Mr. Butler had been one of the most vociferous of a string of Government MPs to speak out about Dr. Brown's handling of the arrival of four Chinese Muslim Uighurs in Bermuda.

He had told the House the whole of Cabinet was shocked that they did not hear of the Guantánamo Bay detainees arrival until they were already on the Island last week.

Dr. Brown had consulted only with Immigration Minister David Burch and left the rest of his Cabinet, as well as Governor Sir Richard Gozney and the UK, out of the loop.

Warwick North East MP Mr. Butler told the House: "As a Minister I am very disappointed I was not consulted. I was absolutely stunned — I think we all were — when we were not informed."

He concluded his speech by asking for an apology from the Premier, and withdrawal of the motion should Dr. Brown comply.

"The Premier should apologise to the House, his Cabinet, and the people of Bermuda," he said. "Withdraw your motion; I would like to accept an apology."

The Premier obliged with an apology — but it came midway through a speech full of anger against the UBP, The Royal Gazette and members of the public who have protested against the Premier in recent days.

During his speech, Mr. Butler had talked about his history with the PLP, which he joined as a 16-year-old because of his perception that the party was committed to working people — and to the law.

He then launched into a condemnation of the Premier's actions, calling his lack of consultation with Cabinet reprehensible.

Mr. Butler, a former school principal, was the Minister of Social Rehabilitation and Culture, and has also served as Sports Minister, and Minister of Community and Culture. He has held his seat with the PLP since 1998.